Mind Matters: The Village Network in Schools

In the hustle and bustle of modern education, one essential- but often overlooked- component is the mental well-being of students. As students navigate academics, extracurriculars, and social dynamics, their mental well-being often takes a backseat. The Village Network works with schools across Ohio to ensure that students receive robust mental health services in their schools. These services are imperative for cultivating resilient and successful students.

Students benefit from consistent access to mental health support during their school days. The Village Network provides a comprehensive set of school-based services for kids, including individual counseling, group mental health day treatment, community-based support and skill building, and medication management. “We help kids in learning the skills needed to manage their emotions, control impulses, and increase focus,” says Northeast Regional Director Kim Hutchings. “This can help kids stay in the classroom more consistently and avoid suspensions.”

School-based services may not always look like traditional therapy, but they are effective. The Village Network’s clinicians are trained in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, which emphasizes the importance of helping children develop the skills to manage feelings of dysregulation. Strategies for teaching these skills may include movement, play, or sensory work. Hutchings refers to the playing the game “Connect Four” as an example of a nontraditional therapeutic technique, explaining: “This game helps build skills to reduce impulse control, practice forward thinking, and cause-and-effect, and learn to manage emotions.” When students develop these skills, they will be better able to focus and learn in a classroom environment.

Collaboration between counselors, clinicians, educators, and administrators is essential to the success of mental health services in schools. When a team of professionals is focused on helping students learn skills to not only pass a test, but to thrive in a social and academic space, the results are tremendous. By prioritizing mental well-being alongside academic achievement, schools can create a nurturing environment where students feel supported and empowered to succeed.

The Village Network is a nonprofit, experienced, multi-discipline behavioral health nonprofit organization helping youth and families become resilient, healthy, and have brighter futures. If you have concerns about a young person in your life, contact us to be connected to available resources. To improve the lives of at-risk youth, donate today.