Prevention Newsletter

Our goal is to provide our community with education and resources surrounding substance misuse and mental health prevention. We will be using this to highlight our initiatives, educational information, upcoming events, and more!

The Mental Health & Prevention Team has been working to educate and provide resources to our students throughout the month of September. On September 10th, the team was able to be present during all middle and high school lunches to speak with students and provide information about the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 988. According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), 988 is available to anyone who finds themselves in need of crisis support, or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. The number is available 24/7 access via phone call or text messaging, and serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a caring, trained counselor who can help.

For Grandview, the team created a poster with the theme, "I Matter." This activity aimed to raise awareness about positive self-talk and ensure that every child knows they are valued in this world. Each grade level was able to participate and each student added a handprint to the poster. Our new Prevention Specialist, Ms. Queen, will be visiting Grandview to talk about positive affirmations with each grade level.

Many people can experience or feel respect in different ways and we hope this month inspires discussions with your family about what respect means to you and how you can practice it together!

Listening to others is an important life skill – and it takes practice! We are focusing on listening skills this month. Being a good listener helps us show respect to other people and treat them with care. We will learn and practice these Strong Listening strategies at school. Try them at home with your student!

1. Eyes are ready (point to your eyes)

2. Ears are listening (cup your ears)

3. Brain is focused (point to your brain)

4. Heart is caring (put your hand on your heart)

The KIP Survey is Kentucky’s largest source of data related to student use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD), as well as a number of factors related to potential substance abuse. In 2016, over 110,000 students representing 149 school districts completed the survey, and the information gathered provided an invaluable substance abuse prevention tool for those communities. Districts utilize their KIP results extensively for grant-writing purposes, prevention activities, and various other needs related to program planning.

This Fall, Bellevue Independent School District will be participating in the KIP Survey. New and effective with the October 2024 administration, the KIP Survey has transitioned from a passive consent model to an active consent model. This means that parents/caregivers are now required to provide permission for their student to participate in the KIP Survey. Staff will be sending out consent forms that will need to be returned to school in order for students to participate.

Be on the look out for more information!

Our team has prepared an informational page regarding tobacco and nicotine prevention. Please see the page below.

October is Mental Illness Awareness Month & Youth Substance Misuse Prevention Month! We will also be sending out our first Dinner Table Project meal kit of the year, more details to come!

Our team plans to observe World Mental Health Day by imploring everyone to take 10 minutes out of their busy schedules to take care of their mental health. We will be handing out information about 10 Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health on 10/10!

We will also be present at the local Bellevue Starbucks location distributing mental health education and prevention to the community while encouraging everyone to Spill the Tea on mental health!