Mental Health Monthly

Updates from Manning's Mental Health Team.

The mental health team started a Lunch Bunch on Wednesdays during lunch. Students are invited to the lunch bunch based on teacher recommendations for students who may get overwhelmed in a large group or are having a hard time making connections with other students during lunch.

The mental health team has been in Science classes teaching the MindWise Signs of Suicide lesson.

Through the program, students learn:

• That depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help.
• How to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend.

• Who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it.

We will be presenting about our roles as school counselors at Manning at the next Coffee with the Principal which is Friday November 10th at 8:30. Come join us!

Regis University is hosting the LaTEENa Conference and Advanced leadership symposium. If you and/or your student are interested, click the link below for more information and to register!

https://www.adelantemujer.org/

6th Graders will be heading up to Windy Peak and Blue Sky the final week of November! If your student is feeling nervous or have any worries about going and you would like support, please contact your student's school counselor. Ms. Derhak will be joining in on all the fun at the Windy Peak location.

Britney Derhak (Last Names A-L)

Jill Shulsinger-Wall (Last Names M-Z)

We can't believe we are on the back end of the Fall semester! Second semester schedules will be available to view on December 14th. Student who won the auctions related to schedules have all been contacted and schedules changed. Thank you to all those who bid and donated!

Manning's National Junior Honor Society and Student Council is pairing up with Urban Peak for their Fall Service Project. Urban Peak is the only non-profit organization in Denver that provides a full convergence of services for youth experiencing homelessness. There is a list of items the groups will be collecting from November 14th through the 17th. The drive will take new items as well as new or used adult, winter clothing. Check out the Amazons Link for easy donating.

We are heading into the time of the year that can be difficult for many financially. If you or another family at Manning is in need of supports with food for Thanksgiving and/or the upcoming winter break, please contact Ms. Derhak or Mrs. Shulsinger.

School Counselor (Last Names A-L)

This is my 9th year as a school counselor, 8of those years at the middle school level. I graduated with a Masters in Arts in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2014.

I became a school counselor because of my passion for sports and the influence my coaches had in my life. I wanted to "coach" youth on how to be good students and eventually good people in society.

In my free time I like to spend time with my dog Sawyer and be outside in nature. I also play professional Women's Tackle Football for the Denver Bandits in the Women's National Football Conference.

Email: Britney.Derhak@jeffco.k12.co.us
Phone: (303) 982-0452

School Counselor (Last Names M-Z)

Hello, my name is Jill Shulsinger-Wall. I have lived in Colorado most of my life and love walking, hiking and biking. I love animals and usually have one or two special needs animals running around my house. I am married and my husband, Steve and I have 3 wonderful daughters.

I started off my career working for the City and County of Denver and then a consultant as an Industrial and Organizational Psychologist. I started working in education in the middle of my career as an Assessment Coordinator for Denver Public Schools. Although the Assessment Coordinator job was not the job for me, I discovered that I loved working in education. After DPS, I worked as a tutor in the AVID program in Littleton and knew that school counseling was the path for me. I continued to work in AVID programs at various schools in Englewood and Cherry Creek school while working on my School Counseling degree. For the past 6 years, I have worked as a school counselor in Douglas County at the middle school level.

Email: jill.shulsinger-wall@jeffco.k12.co.us

(Social Emotional Learning Specialist)

Kari is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and the Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SEL) at Manning. While she wears many hats, her primary focus in the SEL role is to support Manning’s healthy climate and culture.

Prior to doing SEL work in Jeffco she graduated from the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver with a Masters in Social Work (MSW), school social work certificate, and a focus on family systems. Additionally, she received her Master’s in Education and taught in Chicago Public Schools; through work in residential settings and schools, she has been involved with people across the lifespan. Middle school is a great match for her passions, education, work history, and quirky personality.

When not at Manning, Kari enjoys bouldering, skiing, hiking, making art, spending time with her dog, friends and family. If you talk with her long enough, eventually she’ll recommend a podcast or 12.

You can follow her on Instagram @sel_by_gray

Email: Kari.Gray@jeffco.k12.co.us
Phone: (303) 982-1514

What Counselors can help Parents/guardians with:

Provide information for a variety of social, emotional, career and academic needs.

Support in child’s academic and career planning.

Better understand the social and psychological aspects of child development.

Work with the school to plan their child’s education.

Learn more about school programs.

Become aware of community resources available to them and their children.

AND MUCH MORE!

What Counselors can help Students with:

Academic and career planning.

Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP).

Provide information for a variety of social, emotional, career and academic needs.

Crisis intervention and prevention.

Teach a variety of skills individually and in groups.

Establish and maintain cooperative relationships.

AND MUCH MORE!

How and Why to Contact a Counselor?

Concerns over student achievement

Family health problems

New school registration and orientation

Test interpretation

Discussing special needs of their child

Early discussion of potential crises

Family difficulties or concerns

Additional things Counselors Do:

Individual Counseling

Small Groups

Career Exploration

Academic Support

Collaboration

Crisis Response

Behavior Intervention

Referrals to Community Resources

Teaching Classroom Lessons such as ICAP

Parent Consultations

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us. We believe that each student and their families deserve to be treated with the deepest respect and discretion. We will guard your privacy as much as permitted by law.

Limits to confidentiality when:

• the student poses a danger to self or others
• there is a court-ordered disclosure
  
• consulting with other professionals, such as colleagues, supervisors, treatment teams and other support personnel, in support of the student
  
• privileged communication is not granted by state laws and local guidelines (e.g., school board policies)
• the student participates in group counseling
• substance use and treatment are concerns

If you have any questions regarding confidentiality, please feel free to contact a team member.