“Communities in Schools, which aims to support and empower students to stay in school, has grown over the years to include mental health, which is a huge need in the Permian Basin, specifically for youth…
There are students afraid of getting shot at school, of what’s going on at home. The practice drills for an active shooter are also traumatizing for them.
‘They know what’s happening and they’re very aware of it and it’s affecting them in a very negative way. They’ve opened up to our counselors about those types of things,’ [Communities in Schools’ Executive Director Eliseo] Elizondo said.
‘We’ve had a huge call for our mental health services from the elementaries. I’ve been overwhelmed by it,’ he added.
Their mental health team has also responded to crisis situations.”