Student Support
Student support services
Our student support staff are here to help. We provide an abundance of resources to help students and families access the resources they need. Whether you or someone you know is in crisis, needs substance use support or requires mental health counseling, we can direct you in the right direction. Contact your school Dean for confidential support, with questions about resources, and/or for mental health and substance-use-related concerns.
- Crisis Resources
- Mental Health and Well-Being
- Chemical Health/Substance Use Support
- Basic Needs Resources
- Student Specific Resources
- Culturally Validating Supports and Resources
- Let's Talk About It - A Blog
Crisis Resources
Go to your nearest Hospital Emergency Department (ED) or call 911 if your child is a danger to self or others.
At the ED, state that your child needs to be evaluated due to a mental health emergency (i.e. suicide attempt, suicidal thoughts, homicidal ideation (thinking about, considering, or planning to kill someone), etc.)
It is suggested that you present at one of the following EDs as they are attached to hospitals that provide inpatient children/adolescent crisis mental health services:
Children's Mental Health Crisis Line (Ramsey County)
Children's Mental Health Crisis Line (Ramsey County): Call 651-266-7878
Provides 24/7 de-escalation, crisis intervention, mental health assessments, and connection to resources. Available to ALL youth (ages 0-18) and their families in Ramsey County.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline : Call or Text 988
Free 24/7 confidential support for anyone who is thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support
Crisis Resources for Adults/Age 18+
Mental Health and Well-Being
Click "learn more" below for resources to help you get started:
Click "learn more" below to view ways to go about finding a therapist and things to keep in mind when choosing a provider:
Click "learn more" below for a list of local therapy agencies:
Oftentimes, it is unclear whether our child is experiencing a challenge in life that will pass or if there is a mental illness developing. The following resources support parents/caregivers on this journey:
Mental Health Mobile Apps
Click here to access a list of mobile apps that can help you in support of your mental heath.
Additional resources
Click HERE for a more comprehensive list of Mental Health & Well-Being Resources, such as parental support, self-help, and specific mental health therapy resources such as psychiatry, grief/loss, trauma, and more intensive support.
Chemical Health/Substance Use Support
Drug use at an early age is an important predictor of the development of a substance use disorder later in life. To combat this problem and to help our students avoid the negative outcomes of substance use, Mounds View school district has a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) that can provide school-based chemical health support to students, families and staff, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to be educated around the negative effects of substance use and to help students make better-informed decisions when it comes to their overall well being. Prevention is key to helping students learn about the negative effects of substance use, while helping students increase their protective factors and decreasing their risk factors.
Where to begin?
- Not sure what the signs of substance use look like? This resource may help you understand signs and symptoms as well as this resource.
- Contact the Dean at your child’s school for resources and support related to substance-use concerns.
- Reach out to Colleen O’Neil, Mounds View Chemical Health Specialist (colleen.o’neil@mvpschools.org or 651-829-4708 ) for additional guidance and support. Referrals for individual substance-use support can be made through your child’s dean. Students may self-refer as well.
Continuing substance use, despite negative and harmful consequences, is often an indicator that additional support is needed. Your child may need to complete a substance use comprehensive assessment if their substance use continues to create challenges within the family system. A substance use comprehensive assessment is an interview screening conducted by a licensed addiction professional.
The resources below can help you get started in finding the right support in the community. Please note that this is a short list of resources and does not include every community provider. Also note that there are limited resources specific to adolescent substance use support. Knowing where to reach out will help with finding the appropriate support.
One of the keys to helping a young person with substance-use issues is to understand the underlying causes and help them find a healthier solution.
This can be challenging when you may be confused, frustrated and, in truth, angry. You have every right to feel how you feel. There are many support options available to help you learn how to set boundaries and not enable your child’s use, while at the same time loving them and showing that you won’t give up on them. The best thing you can do for your child is to take care of yourself. Consider checking out a support group.
Parents and caregivers play an important role in preventing substance use in their children. Good communication, encouragement and setting limits are key in positive behaviors within the family structure. Not sure how to begin the conversation? Check out the links below for more information as well as support if you believe your child has been experimenting with substances.
Basic Needs Resources
Click "learn more" below to access basic needs resources:
Housing
- Ramsey County Housing Services and Support - Call 651-266-4116
provides resources for people who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of becoming homeless, or need emergency assistance to stay in their homes - Solid Ground - call 651-773-8401
offers safe, affordable housing, and innovative supportive programming in suburban Ramsey and Washington counties. - Community Support Center
volunteer organization providing support to families to prevent homelessness and solve financial problems
Food
Ralph Reeder Food Shelf
help with food by providing Mounds View school district families with fast curbside pickup and shop inside for items that include dairy, protein, pantry stables, and personal care items based on your needs. Delivery is available for those without transportation
Call 651-621-6280
Map/directions: Silver View Plaza 2544 Mounds View Blvd Mounds View, MN 55112
Employment
- Ramsey County Employment Assistance - Call 651-266-9890
provides resource information on employment services such as job training services and job loss resources - Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
provide career opportunities and support to job seekers - Zoomerkammers
provides hour-long sessions and other opportunities to help youth and young adults (ages 17-24) gain the skills and training to earn a livable wage.
Click "learn more" below to access medical and dental care resources:
Transportation
Contact the Dean at the school your child attends to inquire about Mounds View providing transportation (especially in situations where your child needs transportation to a treatment program or is homeless/highly mobile).
- Transportation: Mounds View Public Schools
- TAP (Transit Assistance Program) - affordable transportation ($1 bus or train rides) for those that qualify
- Neighborhood House - provides bus and fuel cards
- Care Crew (Sunrise United Methodist Church in Mounds View), sunrisechurch@q.com, 763-784-2097 - volunteer drivers (i.e. can help transport to appointments)
More Basic Needs Community Resources
Click HERE for a comprehensive list of Basic Needs & Wellness Resources for Ramsey County
Student Specific Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you or someone you care about is having a mental health crisis and/or is contemplating suicide:
- Call or Text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org to chat with a professional
- Call 651-266-7878 for Children's Mental Health Crisis Line (Ramsey County)
If you want to talk to someone, but you are not in a crisis, call/text/visit:
- We Can RELATE - Mental Health Minnesota - free, anonymous online peer support for teens and young adults (M-R 3-9 PM)
- Minnesota Warmline - call 651-288-0400 or text “Support” to 85511, available 7 days/week, 9 AM to 9 PM
- Teen Line - teen line offers peer support for teens, by teens, through a hotline (6–10 p.m.), a text-line (5:30–9:30 p.m.), a message board, and email. It also provides a blog, information, and resources.
- Your Life Your Voice – 24/7 support from counselors (call, text, e-mail) and tips on coping skills, dealing with grief, and other important topics
Culturally Validating Supports and Resources
District Integration and Equity Liaisons are available for translations and support the educational and cultural needs of students and families.
Cultural Brokers (supports people’s well-being by bridging cultural gaps, linking people to culturally responsive support and resources, and co-navigating mainstream systems):
Crisis resources
- Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Crisis Hotline: Call 651-266-7878 - provides 24/7 stabilization services, deescalation, crisis intervention, mental health assessments and initial crisis plans. Available to ALL children in Ramsey County (available in different languages)
- Trans Lifeline Call (877) 565-8860 - Run By and for Trans People
- Call Blackline Call (800) 604-5841- Prioritizing Black, Indigenous and People of Color
- The Trevor Project - Call 866-488-7386 or Text 678-678, specializes in supporting LGBTQ+ youth
Basic needs
Contact your child’s dean to get connected with a Community Resource Navigator (CRN) for assistance in accessing any basic need such as housing, rental assistance, health insurance, employment support and/or culturally specific resources. Services available in Spanish, Hmong, and English.
General Resources: Culturally Validating and Linguistically Appropriate
- MN Healing Justice Network
Works with you to craft your own village of support, and expand your healing justice, resiliency, and community-care skills. Centers on black and brown wellness through mutual aid, holistic care, and solidarity work - American Indian Family Center
Provides American Indian families with programs and services enriched by traditional American Indian values and culture (housing support, meals kits, parent mentor program, children’s trauma-informed program) - Progressive Individual Resources Inc (PIRI)
Provides services to families, caregivers to children, youth, and adults, specializes in working with the African immigrant and/or refugee population - Sewa-Aifw
Provides health care access, wellness information, and resources to enhance wellness for the South Asian community
Mental Health Services: Culturally Focused
- Behavioral Health Alliance
Culturally responsive mental health therapy for children and families - Change Inc.
Mental Health Support Line (651-262-5858) – brief support, referrals to community resources, or ongoing mental health services. They have the capacity to provide phone support in Burmese, English, Hmong, Karen, Poe Karen, Spanish, and Thai. - Roots Wellness Center
A social-justice based agency that provides quality and culturally focused mental health services, mentors, and wrap-around services - M Health Fairview Sexual and Gender Health Clinic
provides a variety of services, including therapy, to children, adolescents, and adults across the gender and sexual orientation spectrum (click here for more information) - Wilder Foundation, Mental Health & Wellness Services
Culturally validating and trauma-informed services; insurance accepted but not required; walk-ins available
Additional culturally validating resources
Click HERE for a more comprehensive list of culturally responsive resources such as mental health resources, LGBTQ+ specific resources, and educational resources for kids and families (i.e. how to talk to kids about race and tools to raise kids who think critically about racial inequity)
Let's Talk About It - A Blog
As I prepare to share the monthly blog, I often look back on my daily connections with students and pull from those topics that I feel every parent needs to know. I recognize that I am privileged to see their honesty, their vulnerability and their incredible way of engaging in conversation when it comes to substance use issues which leaves me with this thought, “How can I help parents with having similar experiences around a topic that tends to carry such negative stigma”?
We are back at it! Back-to-school season! With the return to school-some students may be showing an increase in anxiety. What does this mean? What can you do to help? Read the latest blog from the Student Support Team for more information.
Mental health is all around us - WE ALL have mental health - it affects how we think, feel, and act everyday. However, mental health is often misunderstood. Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time to help demystify what is meant by “mental health,” how to talk about it, and why mental health matters. Supporting mental health is always in season in Mounds View Public Schools and there are ongoing efforts year round to lift up student mental health across the district. Please reach out to the dean at your student’s school or a member of the district student support and engagement team to learn more.
Celebrations at the end of the school year should be fun, memorable and above all else, safe. As always, our hope is that you have enough information at your fingertips to help your student.