Quimby Oak Newsroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Johanna Villareal
jvillareal@eesd.org

New Mental Health & Wellness | CONNECTIONS Website
Much Needed Resource for Students, Parents, and Educators

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020, San Jose, CA --- Evergreen School District announced today a new digital toolkit of mental health resources for students, families, and educators. A newly launched website called Mental Health & Wellness | CONNECTIONS, offers our community original and curated information and resources to help those in need cope with life's challenges. The new Mental Health & Wellness | CONNECTIONS website can be found at www.eesd.org/ESDwellness.

Dr. Flores states, "At no other time in our history have we experienced this level of student anxiety and depression. As part of educating the whole child, we are committed to making sure our children and our families have the right resources and tools available to help them navigate these difficult times. Our wellness team at Evergreen School District is made up of trained counselors, social workers, and psychologists making sure children have the tools to cope with all life's challenges. One in five children and adolescents experience a mental health problem during their school years. Mental health awareness and education is the knowledge and understanding that helps us become responsible, effective, and successful in living full and healthy lives. Through quality mental health education and good practices, we can take better care of ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities."

The Evergreen Wellness Team consists of School Counselors; Jenna Braga, Beatriz Fernandez, and Jennifer Walczak, Social Workers; Cynthia Howard, Brittany Syu and Rachel Flint. Each middle school has a school counselor. The counselors are available to students, families and teachers to support in any way needed, including responding to crisis situations. They also have a digital platform where students can make appointments for support. District social workers and middle school counselors collaborate and publish weekly articles for parents with ideas and resources. Articles include information about setting up routines, managing stress and anxiety, mindfulness, maintaining social connections, and responding to grief. More work is being done to coordinate efforts to bring more social emotional learning and mental health awareness with "Mental Health Minute Videos". These resources are available through the ESD Mental Health & Awareness | CONNECTIONS website at www.eesd.org/ESDWellness.

While all of the district's wellness staff misses daily contact with students, they continue to support students and families across the Evergreen School District.

ESD Mental Health & Wellness | CONNECTIONS website: www.eesd.org/ESDWellness

ESD Mental Health & Wellness | CONNECTIONS YouTube playlist