Back-to-school week is here! Aug. 20 marks the first day of school for Durango School District families. It’s an exciting time, filled with anticipation and questions for students like: Who will my friends be? Will my classes be tough? What should I wear?
For parents, the questions often carry more weight: How can I help my child manage anxiety or depression? What if they face bullying? The Cook Center for Human Connection sums it up well: “Parenting is hard.” They also point out that 50% of parents worry their child is struggling, but aren’t sure what to do.
Mental health concerns for students are on the rise nationwide. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that about 1 in 5 adolescents has a diagnosable mental health disorder. In Colorado, nearly 33% of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless for over two weeks in the past year, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Our idyllic mountain community is not worry-free. In a 2022 District Board Report on Bullying, 50% of student threat reports through the anonymous Safe2Tell system were linked to depression, anger, self-harm or suicide threats. These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective mental health support for schools in Durango and across the nation.
The district offers mental health services that vary depending on the size and staffing of each school. We’re fortunate to have a network of dedicated professionals working to ensure students feel safe, supported and understood. Every elementary school has a full-time counselor, our middle schools have two, and Durango High School and Big Picture High School each have a team of social/emotional counselors.
This year, one of the district’s main goals is to better support our teachers, who are often the first to notice when a student is struggling. On Aug. 15, teachers attended a comprehensive training session at Fort Lewis College to learn new tools and strategies for supporting student behavior and well-being. By investing in our teachers’ professional development, we’re fostering a school culture that prioritizes student well-being.
Because parenting is hard, many families have asked for resources to help them navigate challenging moments with their children.
“We’ve gathered feedback from families and staff to select topics that align with our community’s needs,” said Sean Hembree, coordinator of Student Support Services. “There’s a real demand here – not only for staff resources to support students, but also for parent support for their child’s well-being.”
In response, the district has partnered with the Cook Center for Human Connection to offer a series of live and recorded webinars about relevant topics. These sessions are designed to respect parental rights while providing valuable guidance. Families can choose the topics that resonate with them and fit their values and parenting styles.
The district will offer 15 to 20 live webinars each month throughout the school year, with interpretation services available. Topics will be tailored by grade level, and some schools may host in-person watch parties with discussion time. Recorded sessions will be accessible online after the live events. September’s topics include:
- Tools to Support Your Child’s Mental Health.
- Bullying: How to Break the Cycle.
- Screen Time and Children’s Mental Health.
- What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention.
“Our goal with these webinars is to ensure families feel equipped, connected and supported,” Hembree said. “We want them to know they’re not alone. Many families face similar joys and challenges in raising children, and we want to support them in better understanding what their children face. As partners, we want to strengthen the bond between schools and families to support children through the challenges of growing up.”
Karla Sluis is the public information officer for Durango School District 9-R. School families will receive email updates with details about how to access the Cook Center webinars. For more information, contact your school counselor or visit the district website at durangoschools.org, searching for "Behavioral and Mental Health."
