020325 YAM

Parent information about Youth Awareness of Mental Health program
Posted on 02/03/2025

Dear parents and guardians, 


All Texas schools are responsible for leading suicide prevention efforts in an age-appropriate way with students. In CCISD, we have chosen to work with our partner, the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), to focus on important life skills and coping mechanisms for students in grades 8 and 10. We are so happy to be able to bring this program to Calhoun County through our partnership with UTMB.


Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) is a program where students participate in five, 45-minute sessions with trained professional facilitators from UTMB.  The program is designed to be an age-appropriate and fun experience where students and facilitators discuss community awareness of mental health and safe and healthy choices. YAM is an evidence-based program for adolescents promoting increased discussion and knowledge about mental health, suicide prevention, and the development of problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence.” "The topics range from relationships with peers and adults to changes in mood, feeling sad, or facing a stressful situation.....Students build problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence through lectures, discussion, and role-play.” 


UTMB-Galveston hosted an online Zoom YAM education meeting for CCISD parents on 11/21/2024. The link to the CCISD parent meeting recording is below: 

https://www.zoomgov.com/rec/share/z2lvdOe8XzcRXuYENbPxh_6c7IB9MdNRksm-I10h93Ajeu0Nh4tNKQAkRb9StR60.OO39zu5ik66JnUuS  

Passcode: *HZ1w*@y  

Discussion will include: What is YAM? Why is my student’s school participating in this program? Who is working with my student? What will my role be? Q&A Session


The YAM sessions will take place for 10th-grade students at Calhoun High School on: Monday 2/3, Thursday 2/06, Tuesday 2/11, Thursday 2/13, and Tuesday 2/18. 


We hope the YAM program will meet the needs of our community by preparing our students with critical life skills. Questions, concerns, or requests to opt out of the program can be directed to Mrs. Willoughby, CHS counselor, [email protected], Mrs. Rudellat, CHS counselor [email protected], Ms. Veach, LPC, [email protected], or Ms. Dworaczyk, CHS Principal, [email protected] at 361-552-3775.


Please visit the UTMB or YAM webpage for more information about the program. 

YAM program page with videos for parents, English and Spanish 

There are six main themes: "What is Mental Health, What can make me feel better, What situations can cause stress, What is depression, How do you know that your friend needs help, Who can I ask for advice?""YAM encourages the development of a large set of skills and knowledge about mental health. The YAM materials are designed to convey information about mental health, coping skills, and emotional intelligence to adolescents, while at once not overwhelming them with complicated information

YAM Flyer
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