Mental health and social-emotional supports/resources

Mental Health First Aid program

District 88 is implementing Youth Mental Health First Aid and teen Mental Health First Aid through generous funding provided by the DuPage County Health Department HOPE Taskforce.

Youth Mental Health First Aid focuses on helping adults identify common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and substance-use challenges in youth. It also covers how to interact with a child or an adolescent in crisis.

Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches high school students how to identify, understand and help themselves and their friends with mental health and substance use concerns and how to get the help of an adult. About 1,000 sophomores will attend this program.

Elyssa’s Mission SOS Signs of Suicide program

Elyssa’s Mission SOS Signs of Suicide program teaches students and staff how to recognize the signs of suicide using the ACT technique, which stands for Acknowledge, Care and Tell. 

SOS educates students on how to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers, while training school professionals, parents and community members to recognize at-risk students and take appropriate action. The program seeks to teach youth that depression is a treatable illness, empower them to respond to a potential suicide (themselves, a friend or a family member) and help prevent teen suicide. 

PBIS program

The Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program was implemented in fall 2007 to teach students expected behaviors, rules and what it means to be an Addison Trail Blazer and a Willowbrook Warrior. The goal of the program is to develop a positive school climate through creating common language and standards.

Throughout the school year, students are recognized by staff for showing “Blazer Pride” and “Living the Warrior Code.” Frequent reminders are shared with students (including assemblies), and an end-of-year barbeque takes place to celebrate successes.

Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) staff

The PPS teams at Addison Trail and Willowbrook consist of school counselors, social workers, psychologists, deans and nurses. For details, including how to request assistance, CLICK HERE.

Student groups

Student groups provide cohesiveness and an environment where students feel safe and can discuss the issues they are facing. A variety of topics are offered each year, including grief/loss, social skills, anger management and anxiety. For more information, contact the Addison Trail School Counseling Department at 630-628-3318 or the Willowbrook School Counseling Department at 630-530-3419.

Postvention Project

District 88 applied for and was awarded more than $300,000 in grant funds from the Illinois Department of Public Health for suicide prevention and mental health services for District 88 students and their family members through ReferralGPS. Our families can receive coordinated and comprehensive support to facilitate access to in-person or virtual treatment services for up to eight sessions at no cost.

For more information, and to access this service, go to www.referralgps.com/postvention. 

ReferralGPS

This is a free, web-based service that assists students, staff and community members in finding local treatment for mental health and substance use needs. Along with a searchable database, ReferralGPS provides appointment setting, follow-up care and help for families in triage. The program accepts a variety of private and public insurance and also is available to those who are uninsured or underinsured. Information entered into the system is confidential and securely stored. To access counseling-related services through ReferralGPS, contact the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) staff at Addison Trail or Willowbrook, or go to https://referralgps.com/find-help/dupage88.

NEDFYS partnership

District 88 partners with Northeast DuPage Family and Youth Services (NEDFYS) to provide supplemental counseling services for students, which take place at the school buildings.

Pupils meet individually and/or in groups, depending on the need of each student.

Serenity House partnership

District 88 partners with Serenity House, an alcohol and drug substance-abuse treatment center, to provide counseling services for students (which take place at the school buildings).

Pupils meet individually and/or in groups, depending on the need of each student.

Grants

District 88 is proud to announce the launch of its Postvention Project, a vital statewide initiative designed to support the mental health of District 88 students and their family members. In partnership with ReferralGPS and supported by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), this project offers an expansion of mental health services that will make it easier for District 88 students and their families to access up to eight in-person or telehealth counseling sessions. It provides comprehensive resources and interventions – not only for those impacted by suicide, but for anyone experiencing mental health concerns. Services can be accessed at referralgps.com/postvention, or by texting “HOME” to 741741. (Anyone in an emergency situation should contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for immediate assistance.) All inquiries will be confidential. For more information, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/page/16395.

Emergency hotlines

Addison Trail Emergency Hotline:
630-782-2801
hotlineAT@dupage88.net

Willowbrook Emergency Hotline:
630-782-2803
hotlineWB@dupage88.net 

External resources

For anyone experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, there are various resources available. CLICK HERE for details.

Senate Bill 1577

Senate Bill 1577 went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, “(The bill) amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. With respect to the exceptions to the compulsory attendance requirement, (this bill) provides that absence for cause by illness shall include the mental or behavioral health of a student for up to 5 days for which the child need not provide a medical note, in which case the child shall be given the opportunity to make up any school work missed during the mental or behavioral health absence. After the second mental health day used, the child may be referred to the appropriate school support personnel.” CLICK HERE to read more. 

What constitutes a mental health day

• A mental health day may be taken if a student experiences concerns such as anxiety, depression or somatic symptoms (headache, throwing up).

What doesn’t constitute a mental health day

• Mental health days are not to be taken as a result of stress caused by a lack of work completion or test/presentation preparation.
  
  
• Mental health days are not to be taken as a result of overscheduling (such as extracurricular activities or work hours).
  
  
• Mental health days are not to be used as an extension of a holiday break or a vacation.

Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Resource Guide

Whether you are a student, parent or guardian, or an educator, this resource guide was developed to help you know where to find help in the event sexual abuse is suspected, reported, and/or being investigated. CLICK HERE to read more.

Policy 5:120 Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest
All District employees are expected to maintain high standards in their job performance, demonstrate integrity and honesty, be considerate and cooperative, and maintain professional and appropriate relationships with students, parents/guardians, staff members, and others. CLICK HERE to read more.