All Texas schools are responsible for leading suicide prevention efforts in an age-appropriate way with students. Calhoun County ISD has 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 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.”
The YAM sessions will take place for 8th-grade students at Travis Middle School & Seadrift School on
Monday 12/2, Wednesday 12/4, Monday 12/9, Monday 12/16, and Wednesday 12/18.
UTMB-Galveston will also host an online YAM education meeting for parents through Zoom on Thursday, 11/21/2024 from 4 - to 4:30 p.m.. The 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 Sessions
Here is the zoom link for that session: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1616189829?pwd=LmAJ0tMb8EEUKwVqa3nH71YOCDtxZv.1
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. Dierlam, RN, [email protected] Ms. Veach, LPC, [email protected] or by phone at 361-552-3784.