On December 12, Stillwater Public Schools (SPS) presented an update on their mental health support and substance abuse prevention initiatives at the Board of Education meeting. The update was based on the findings of the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, which is conducted biennially among students in sixth, eighth, 10th, and 12th grades.
Kira Frisby, the SPS Wellness and Trauma Response Coordinator, emphasized the importance of the survey data, stating that it is closely linked to the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) grant, which funds various mental health initiatives in the district.
The MTSS grant, amounting to $300,000 annually for three years, has a total funding of $900,000, allocated by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The funds are intended to support various strategies aimed at promoting mental wellness and preventing substance abuse.
Frisby mentioned that Christina Bibbs, the SPS Prevention Grant Coordinator, collaborated with state organizations to implement these strategies, which include goals focused on alcohol use, substance abuse, psychological distress, and overall school climate.
Frisby stated, ‘When we received our school-based prevention grant, they looked at our previous years of OPNA data and helped us come up with some goals and some things to focus on.’ The strategies are categorized into three tiers:
- Tier 1: Universal prevention strategies targeting all students, emphasizing education, awareness, and skill-building.
- Tier 2: Targeted approaches for at-risk groups showing early signs of substance abuse.
- Tier 3: Intensive interventions for students requiring the support of mental health professionals.
Frisby expressed optimism about the ongoing efforts saying, ‘The work that this grant has allowed us to finally do…we’ve been working as a district over the course of many years.’ She noted a concerning rise in mental health issues among adolescents since 2012, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The OPNA survey results indicated a troubling increase in suicide considerations among students, particularly at the Stillwater Junior High School, which rose to 22% in 2023-24, contrasted with a drop in similar rates at the Middle School. Overall, concerning statistics indicate that nearly half of the student population remains at high risk for mental health challenges.
Frisby stated, ‘The persistently high levels of depressive symptoms suggest many students continue to struggle, indicating an ongoing need for accessible counseling and emotional support resources.’ With community risk factors in mind, SPS continues its focus on mental health initiatives to improve student welfare.
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