“As an educator, parent, and advocate for children, I learned and gained knowledge of a very serious disease that is rapidly growing in our society. Thank you for bringing CHADS to our schools.”
Educators play an important role in the wellbeing of their students. Whether you are an administrator, school counselor, or teacher, you can help provide students with the resources they need to stay healthy, focused, and ready to learn. CHADS works with schools throughout the St. Louis and surrounding areas to provide mental health education and resources, from the individual to the district wide level. Read through to learn more about how CHADS can play a part in your school.
Presentations
Signs of Suicide® (SOS) presentations educate students on warning signs and symptoms of depression and suicide and how to help themselves or a friend who is showing warning signs. Other presentation topics include bullying, self-harm, and more. Click here to learn more about the presentations we offer to students.
Presentations offered to adults includes the SOS Training Trusted Adults® program, which educates parents and school staff about the signs and symptoms of adolescent depression and suicide so they are able to recognize and ACT® in order to help an adolescent who is struggling. Read full descriptions of all presentations offered to adults here. These programs can be offered to parents, faculty and staff members, and community organizations.
Counseling
The CHADS Family Support program has clinicians embedded one day per week in 36 area middle schools and high schools, including schools in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County. School-based services are offered free-of-charge and include both individual counseling and group interventions. Referrals for school-based counseling are made by the school counselor, social worker, or principal. To learn how to get CHADS counseling in your school, fill out our information request form.
Many school counselors in the area refer their students to CHADS to receive targeted, short-term counseling support from one of our licensed and provisionally-licensed counselors and social workers. CHADS will work with students and their families to provide them the help and care they need. To learn more about the services we provide to families, go to our Family Support Program page.
Counseling with our compassionate licensed and provisionally licensed clinicians will be provided over the internet through video conferencing or through your telephone. One on One virtual counseling sessions with your teen provides targeted, short term counseling support to those who are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation. Our clinicians work in concert with school support teams as well as parents or loved ones to ensure communication and appropriate safety planning. Pricing for sessions will be on the same sliding scale as office counseling. You can learn more or schedule an appointment by calling 314.952.8274 .
Mentoring
The CHADS Mentoring Program is available to schools using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, Second Step Program, or in need of social emotional support for students. Mentoring services are provided at no cost to the school, students, or families. All sessions will provide one-on-one mentoring and relationship building with individual students who may benefit from extra support. CHADS Coalition mentors will provide mentoring in an environment where mentees can receive positive and specific guidance to develop social and emotional skills. To learn more about getting CHADS mentoring in your school, fill out our information request form.
Postvention
Postvention is designed to provide supportive services for students, school staff, and community members following a suicide or traumatic student death in the St. Louis area. The Postvention coordinator will work with school administrators to offer a variety of options which best fits the needs of the school community. Please call the Family Support Warm Line at 314.952.8274 for more information about Postvention services.
Volunteer
You can make a difference in the lives of thousands of adolescents. If you are interested in getting involved with CHADS by volunteering your time fill out our volunteer form.
Donate
To support CHADS’ programming through donation, click here. You can also organize a fundraiser for CHADS! Learn more.
CHADS Social Media
Find extra resources and stay up to date with CHADS information by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Other Resources
There are countless resources in St. Louis and the surrounding areas for people struggling with mental illness. See our complete list of resources outside of our organization here.