Mental Health Services
School-Based Mental Health
Commonly Asked Questions
Dr. Sandra Billie (center) and the Behavioral
Health Team from left to right: Nicole Meggers, Troy Gaines
and Marla Bankhead.
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Mental health is a person's:
🠶 Emotional well-being🠶 Psychological stability🠶 Social well-being🠶 It affects how people think, feel, and act🠶 It helps them handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. -
🠶 It is normal to have mood and behavioral changes from time to time. It is not normal if:🠶 If it persists over a long period of time🠶 Interferes with relationships🠶 Interferes with school or daily living🠶 1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental health problem🠶 75% of mental illnesses may appear before the age of 14.
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🠶 Untreated mental health problems can disrupt life at home, school and in the community.🠶 Increased risk of school failure🠶 Contact with criminal justice system🠶 Dependence on social services🠶 Suicide or other self harm
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🠶 Decline in school performance🠶 Poor grades despite strong efforts🠶 Constant worry or anxiety (complain of stomach aches, headaches)🠶 Sleep too much or too little🠶 Not interesting in playing or doing activities any longer🠶 Repeated refusal to go to school or to take part in normal activities🠶 Hyperactivity or fidgeting🠶 Persistent nightmares🠶 Persistent disobedience or aggression🠶 Frequent temper tantrums🠶 Depression, sadness or irritability🠶 Overactivity or difficulty paying attention🠶 Problems with food or body image🠶 Use of drugs or alcohol🠶 Unusual thoughts or experiences.
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🠶 Sudden life changes🠶 Experiencing violence🠶 Other life trauma🠶 Genetic link in family/heredity🠶 Biology: abnormal functioning of brain regions, or hormones, chemistry of the brain
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🠶 Anxiety disorders🠶 Autism Spectrum Disorders🠶 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)🠶 Disruptive behavior disorder🠶 Eating disorders🠶 Elimination disorders🠶 Learning and Communication Disorders🠶 Mood disorders🠶 Schizophrenia🠶 Tic disorders🠶 PTSD
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🠶 Primary Care Physician (PCP)🠶 Hospitalization🠶 Outpatient clinic🠶 Therapy: Individual, group, family🠶 Medication: Done by PCP or psychiatrist🠶 Art therapy, equine therapy
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🠶 First appointment is the with family and child🠶 Therapy services provided at school🠶 No medication appts through our clinic🠶 We do not charge families for services🠶 Transportation from other district buildings is provided🠶 Partnership with OBHAW, TFS and Experience Counseling who also see students on the campus but require Medicaid
Resources
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Supports For Parents:
For parents in Hot Springs, AR, resources include the Parent Stress Line (1-800-632-8188), virtual parent support groups, community center groups, and programs for incarcerated parents. You can also find resources for mental health, substance use, and family support at SAMHSA (1-800-662-HELP) and FindTreatment.gov.
Other resources:
For General Family Support:
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Hot Springs School District Welcome Center:
This center offers a range of services, including a food and clothing pantry, computers with free wifi, showers, and a sitting area with toys for children.- Contact: 501-620-7815
- Location: 702 Main Street, Hot Springs, AR
- Services: Parent and family outreach services and resources, translators, food and clothing pantry, showers, bathroom facilities, washer/dryer, and a sitting area with toys.
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Healthy Families Arkansas:
This program provides free services to first- and second-time moms in Polk and Garland counties, offering home visits, guidance, and support until the child reaches three years of age.- Contact: Carrie Ray, Family Support Specialist | 888-710-8220 Ext 572 (Garland and Hot Spring Counties)
- Contact: Misty Surber, Program Manager and Family Specialist | 479-437-3449 Ext. 136 (Polk County)
- Contact: Leighann Reynolds, Family Support Specialist | 479-437-3449 Ext. 176 (Polk County)
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Arkansas Department of Health:
Provides resources for pregnancy and parenting, including a directory of services.- Contact: 855-275-6667 (ARK MOMS)
- Healthy Arkansas Website
For Specific Needs:
- Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic
- Springwoods Behavioral Health
- Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
- Cadc Medical Transportation
- Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center - Hot Springs
- Hope cancer Resources
- ADH Maternity Program
- Apply For Respite Voucher
- Arkansas Homeschool Ev
- Butterfly Learning Center
- Garland County Health Dept
- Jackson House
- Peace At Home Family Shelter
- Change Point Pregnancy Care and Parenting Resource Center
- Children of Arkansas Loved For a Lifetime (The CALL)
- DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services)/DHS (Department of Human Services)
- Hillcrest Children's Home/COMPACT Family Services
- Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness
- Central Arkansas Harm Reduction Project
- Child Care Aware of West Central Arkansas
- Access Arkansas
- Arkansas ConnectCare
- Arkansas Children's Resource Connect
- Arkansas Foodbank Food Pantry Locator
- Hark Northwest Arkansas
- The Centers for Youth and Families
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Parenting Videos:
Mindfulness for Kids:
Video 1 – Mindfulness for kids
Video 2 – Mindfulness for kids
Video 3 – Mindfulness for kids
Mindfulness for Teens:
Video 1 – Mindfulness for teens
Video 2 – Mindfulness for teens
Video 3 – Mindfulness for teens