Mental Health Support

Schools seek to create welcoming, nurturing environments for successful teaching and learning. This includes demonstrating how to build and be part of a community.

In every Chesterfield school, Promote Respect (bullying prevention) and Sources of Strength (wellness and prevention) help students learn about themselves, build healthy relationships and make good decisions. This supportive approach to mental health focuses on partnering with students, families, educators and community resources to maximize student safety and adjustment.

However, research suggests that at least one in five students will need additional mental health support. Chesterfield County Public Schools can provide that help; here’s what families need to know:

  • Young people may occasionally show aggressive behavior or difficulty fitting in, but parents should become concerned when alienation or antisocial behavior is shown over time or when young people threaten to hurt themselves or others.

  • Parents can seek help from their child’s school by contacting a school counselor, school social worker or school psychologist.

Drawing of group of students talking

Our Team

The mental health team of Chesterfield County Public Schools includes about 35 school psychologists, nine educational diagnosticians, 35 social workers, 237 school counselors, three mental health support specialists, two mental health interventionists and central office staff who supervise their work.

Nurses are also members of the team, and Chesterfield County Public Schools has about 67 school nurses.

Using evidence-based assessment and therapeutic practices, the mental health team intervenes early and provides tailored support to match the unique needs of students.

Our Partners

Chesterfield County Public Schools also connects with public and private mental health and counseling service providers to provide parents and families with resources. This link provides a list of community counseling agencies and this video offers helpful introductions to several providers. 

What is the difference between a school counselor, school psychologist and school social worker?

School counselors, school psychologists and social workers all support the emotional health of students, and each group has different yet vital roles.

School Counselors

School counselors are school employees who support students directly through academic planning and goal setting, classroom lessons that maximize student success and small-group interventions to support students as they transition through the grades. In middle school and high school, they also help students plan for higher education, the military or the workforce. Counselors do not provide therapeutic interventions or long-term supportive services in schools. School counselors are trained to recognize and respond to student emotional health needs and refer families to the school mental health team when needed.

Learn more about School Counselors

What school counselors do

  • Planning and goal setting

  • School counseling classroom lesson

  • Short-term counseling

  • Referrals for long-term support

  • Collaborate with families, teachers, administrators and community for student success

  • Advocate for students for individualized education program meetings and other student-focused meetings

  • Analyze data to identify student issues, needs and challenges

School Psychologists

School psychologists are school employees who help students succeed academically, socially and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents and other professionals to create safe, healthy and supportive learning environments for all students and find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems.

School psychologists are highly trained in both psychology and education. They work to find the best solution for each student and situation by using evidence-based research to develop and recommend effective interventions. They also develop programs to train teachers and parents regarding effective teaching and learning strategies; effective techniques to manage behavior at home and in the classroom; working with students with disabilities and special talents; and preventing and managing critical incidents.

School psychologists evaluate students’' processing skills, aptitude for learning and social-emotional functioning to determine eligibility for special education services. School psychologists provide individual and group counseling to help resolve personal or interpersonal problems that interfere with school performance. They also provide direct services to students and school staff to manage incidents such as death, illness or community trauma.

Learn more about School Psychologists

What school psychologists do

  • Conduct psychological and academic assessments

  • Individualize instruction and interventions

  • Monitor student progress

  • Assess student emotional and behavioral needs

  • Provide individual and group counseling 

  • Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience

  • Make referrals to coordinate community services provided in schools

  • Support social and emotional learning

  • Provide crisis intervention and intervention services

School Social Workers

School social workers are school employees who provide social work services in every school in Chesterfield County. School social workers are state certified and have expertise in social work and education.

As a part of a multidisciplinary team of staff, teachers and parents, they assist and encourage the development of each student’s capabilities. School social workers identify and intervene in problems that interfere with a student’s education. They are trained to deal with difficulties such as developmental and learning disabilities; parenting education; family and marital stress; school-age pregnancy; absenteeism; substance abuse; crisis management; and suicide prevention.

The coordination of resources between home, school and community is a unique service provided by school social workers. Resources that school social workers frequently connect individuals with are parenting classes; mental health services; resources for food and clothing; tutorial services; and other educational support.

Learn more about School Social Workers

What school social workers do

  • Counsel individuals and families

  • Provide crisis intervention

  • Assess students with mental health concerns

  • Assist parents in accessing and using school and community resources

  • Obtain and coordinate community resources to meet student needs

  • Work with staff to help them understand factors that may affect a student’s performance or behavior

  • Develop in-service trainings for staff

  • Provide direct support to staff and assist with attendance and behavior management

Therapy session

CCPS prevention, intervention and response

Prevention

Schools provide students the opportunity to develop life skills and learn through a curriculum that affords career exploration and developmentally appropriate activities. Both academic and nonacademic instruction are designed to assist in problem solving, interpersonal conflict resolution and developing social-emotional skills. We educate to prevent harm to self or others.

Intervention

Schools are required to provide school counseling and support services that assist students in recovering from life’s disappointments and setbacks. School nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers and school staff help children develop behaviors and interpersonal skills that target specific developmental tasks and self-efficacy.

In addition to the important work of academic counseling and developing study habits and test-taking skills, school counselors help students adjust to changes in their environment, help students address adjustment and anxiety issues and help students deal with anger, teasing or bullying. When necessary, mental health professionals in the school setting assist teachers and administrators with contacting a student’s family and facilitating school-home collaboration in addressing difficulties.

Many of these interventions have become ingrained in the school routine and may not be perceived as mental health interventions. Here are some of the methods Chesterfield County Public Schools staff members use to intervene and support the whole child: Gaggle, critical incident response, threat assessments, reentry and follow-up meetings, community staffing, restorative circles and selective use of a therapy dog (in partnership with Chesterfield County Police Department). 

Response

Division response is twofold. First, school mental health professionals may refer parents and students to community services for assessment of treatment needs and determination of the appropriate level of care. The school staff may continue to facilitate collaboration, when appropriate, and provide case management and support services during school hours.

Secondly, schools steward the provision of services designed to maintain and improve a child’s level of personal and interpersonal functioning as required by the child’s individualized education program, or IEP.

Evidence-based school programs