This month, we're raising awareness of and working to reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlighting the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being. Mental Health Awareness Month helps us recognize the ways mental illness impacts our lives, educates people about available services, and highlights ways to advocate. 

Mental Health Telehealth Services

LACOE, in collaboration with L.A. Care Health Plan, Health Net, and the L.A. County Department of Mental Health is offering access to mental health services for L.A. County’s 1.3 million K-12 public school students through a partnership with Hazel Health. LEAs in Los Angeles County may opt-in to participate in the Hazel Health virtual mental health program.  

Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE)

EASE is an assessment and brief counseling service to employees of our member districts and their families. In addition, EASE provides consultation to managers and supervisors on dealing with emotional issues in the workplace. For more information call: 1-800-882-1341. Check out EASE program's monthly newsletter, Connect with EASE, for helpful tips to increase your wellness and well-being. EASE will hold “The Power of Resilience” virtual Workshop for Employees in Education on May 17, 2023 at 12 p.m. Employees must register to attend. 

Additionally, here are some things you can consider doing or being a part of: 

• Visit the LA County Department of Mental Health’s website for resources and wellbeing events near you. 

• Review toolkits packed with resources, tips and information 

• Attend a training with our Mental Health and School Counseling (MHSC) Unit 

• Nominate a deserving school counselor, social worker or professional for our 2023 School Counselor and School-Based Mental Health Professional of the Year Awards here

• Follow us on social media to see how schools across Los Angeles County are supporting their students' mental health and wellbeing initiatives  

   Important Phone Numbers 

   · Call or text 988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 

   · 1-800-273-8255 - National Suicide Hotline 

   · Text HOME to 741741 - Crisis Text Line 

   · 213-252-2100 (Multilingual) - Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment         Centers 

   · 800-TLC-TEEN (852-8336) - Teen Line 

   · Veterans Suicide Crisis Line – 1-800-8255 and Press 1  

   · Trans Lifeline - 1-877-565-8860

   · LGBT Youth Talkline - 1-800-246-7743

   · CalHope - 1-833-317-4673

Resources 

• UCLA Center of Excellence: Education Resource Guide – Wellbeing for LA Learning Center: https://learn.wellbeing4la.org/

• UCLA Center of Excellence: Virtiual Training – Trauma and Resilience Informed Care Foundations for Educators

• California Department of Education (CDE) school mental health resources  

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mental health resources

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) resources

• California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Youth Mental Health resource hub:  https://www.chhs.ca.gov/youthresources/ 

• California Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids project

• CA Office of the Surgeon General – Playbook for Stress (multiple languages) and Playbook for Stress for Caregivers and Kids (multiple languages)