Deer Creek School Health and Wellness Program

The Deer Creek School Health and Wellness Program was developed and implemented in order to provide the Deer Creek School District with the mental health services necessary to create a healthy learning and working environment. Whereas education is the primary mission of schools, there is substantial evidence that shows addressing children's health and mental health needs increases their academic achievement and competence; decreases incidences of problem behaviors; improves their relationships with others, and creates positive changes in school and classroom environments (Elias, 2006; Greenberg et. al., 2004; President's New Freedom Commission, 2003). Given these benefits, utilizing mental health services in schools can be crucial to ensuring students’ overall success.

The School Health and Wellness Program (SHWP), promotes overall health and well-being in the Deer Creek School District by providing the following services:

1. Counseling – Individual counseling can be utilized to promote positive social and emotional development. Regularly scheduled short-term counseling for students, families, and school personnel is provided by SHWP staff. Depending on scheduling, sessions can last 20-50 minutes and can occur during or after school hours. The number of sessions provided will depend on the needs of each individual.
2. Student Support/Counseling Groups -SHWP collaborates with school sites to develop and implement student support groups. These groups consist of 3 to 8 students who share a similar problem they want to address (grief, divorce, bullying, diversity, deployment, friendship/social skills).
3. Consultation - Consultation services are offered to school staff, parents, and students regarding a wide range of issues and potential issues. Through consultation with SHWP staff, parents and school personnel can gain information, skills, and assistance in helping students’ personal, social, behavioral, and academic development. 
4. Crisis Counseling and Consultation - SHWP provides consultation to students, school staff, and parents regarding immediate mental health services.
5. Psychoeducational/Prevention Programs - SHWP collaborates with each school to provide structured evidence-based programs that focus on issues such as preventing suicide, substance use, understanding healthy dating relationships, recognizing and dealing with bullying/cyber-bullying, and stress management. 
6. Referrals to Outside Resources - Appropriate referrals are provided to various community resources. These resources include, but are not limited to: mental health service providers in the community, psychiatrists, intensive outpatient treatment facilities, community support groups (i.e. parent support groups for parents who have children with a substance abuse issue, divorce/grief support groups for children and adults), medication assistance programs, etc.

If you have any questions or are interested in obtaining services, please feel free to contact Brian Johnson, LPC, Coordinator of the School Health and Wellness Program.  For more information on any of these services, please call 405-531-9265 or email [email protected].

Additional Helpful Links
School Health & Wellness Staff
Counseling Forms
Deer Creek On-line Resources
Information for Preventing Teen Suicide
School Health & Wellness Newsletter