Mental Health Support

  • Teacher photo

    For General Mental Health Information, click here.

    Below are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Mental Health needs in our schools.

  • What process will schools need to follow involving actively suicidal students that need hospitalization?

    • Keep the student safe and supervised. Do not leave the student alone.
    • In cases of imminent risk and/or following an active suicide attempt on campus, immediately Call 911 and Department of Safety at 720-423-3911 to have EMS transport the student to the local ER.
    • Ensure your school social worker or school psychologist is involved and available to talk to the EMS or DPD.
    • Notify the guardian(s) of concerns and ask him/her/them to come to the school.
    • The school mental health team will complete the SRR protocol including the action and intervention plan.
    • Notify Jane_Lineman@dpsk12.org If an attempt was made on campus
    • Notify the District Crisis Recovery Team by contacting Meghan Kimball at 720-812-0281 or Ellen Kelty at 720-468-8364, for support.

    Need to consult on this call, Armando Geneyro at 720-423-3690 who will get you the name and number of the person on call.

    Suicide Prevention resources are available here.

  • What do we do if a student is needing a mental health hold (M1 or 72 hour hold) due to being a danger to self or others?

    • Keep the student safe and supervised. Do not leave the student alone.
    • In cases of imminent risk and/or following an active suicide attempt on campus, immediately:Call 911 and the Department of Safety at 720-423-3911 to have EMS transport the student to the local ER.
    • Ensure your social worker or school psychologist is involved and available to talk to the EMS or DPD. Notify Jane_Lineman@dpsk12.org
    • Notify the guardian(s) of concerns and ask him/her/them to come to the school.
    • Complete the Suicide Risk Review or Threat Appraisal protocol including the action and intervention plan if behavior is presnting concern in the are of Suicide Risk or Threat Risk.
    • Notify Jane_Lineman if the student was taken to the hospital so we can ensure strong follow up
    • If an attempt was made on campus notify the District Crisis Recovery Team by contacting Meghan Kimball at 720-812-0281 or Ellen Kelty at 720-468-8364, for support.

    Need to consult on this, call Armando Geneyro 720-423-3690 who will get you the name and number of the person on call.

  • How are the school staff expected to respond in case of an active shooter threat?

    • Contact 911 and Dept. of Safety Immediately, 720-423-3911.
    • If it is not practical to make a phone call, staff should activate the duress button. 
    • Follow lockdown procedures. All building occupants should follow emergency protocols. 
    • Once you have been told by Safety or law enforcement you are safe, contact your OS. 
    • The investigation will be conducted by law enforcement, given the criminality of an active shooter.
    •  Safety will work with school leaders and law enforcement regarding  student interviews, interrogations, searches and arrests. 
    • Safety will make initial contact with the PIO. Given this situation would be an ongoing investigation, coordinated communication between all entities involved is critical. 
    • Request District Crisis Response Team
    • Prepare to work with Safety on an evacuation and reunification

  • What can schools do if there is a death of a student or staff member from our school?

    • Principals should contact their OS or supervisor
    • Principals should contact the District Crisis Recovery Team by calling or emailing Meghan Kimball, 720-812-0281 or Ellen Kelty: 720-468-8364
    • Please call as soon as possible after a crisis, even if it is after hours so supports can be scheduled
    • The DCRT Coordinator will consult with the principal to determine the level of support required to manage the crisis. The DCRT Coordinator will oversee the crisis response and ensure that the school is supported appropriately. This includes providing DCRT members to run planning meetings, support staff meetings and support students
    • When staff need crisis support The DCRT Coordinator, or designee, will request a counselor through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide services to staff members.Charter schools are responsible for providing the resources to their staff for day-of and on-going counseling needs based on the services they each offer. The DCRT Coordinator will support charter schools with resources for their staff.
    • Principals should work with the DCRT Coordinator and Will Jones from the Communication Dept. to write a letter to the community impacted by the crisis. The Communication Department has templates that can be used and supports translations of letters.
    • Review https://www.dpsk12.org/safe-and-welcoming-school-district/

  • How can schools handle sexualized behavior in young children?

    • Remember some sexualized behavior in young children is normal.
    • Ensure all students are safe.
    • Gather the information from the involved students.
    • Notify guardians as necessary.
    • Reach out to your building level school psychologist, social worker or school counselor to discuss interventions, such as reviewing boundaries with student
    • Consider DPS Policy JK/JK-R for discipline response and to review the discipline ladder and matrix
    • If you have reasonable cause to believe the student has been abused, as a mandated reporter you will need to immediately contact Denver Dept. of Human Services or Denver Police Dept. Information on mandated reporting can be found at -http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/mandatoryreporting
    • If you believe a student or staff member may have been discriminated against please follow the Discrimination Prevention and Response (DPR) and Title IX processes at http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/discriminationprevention
    • Need to consult reach out to Meghan Kimball, EDs NCSP, Student Safety Coordinator 720-812-0281