Our schools care about you.  We are aware that many students are experiencing a high level of trauma, stress, anxiety or sadness related to school, friends and perhaps personal family issues.  Mental Health needs are not uncommon in our youth.  1 in 5 children ages 13-18 will experience mental illness.  In addition, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-24.  Many children and teens are suffering in silence. It is important to know that you are not alone and that there is help in our community for you, your friend or your child.

School Counselors

Alachua County Schools are fortunate to have school counselors in every school who are Masters or above-trained counselors knowledgeable about child development and mental health needs.  They are there to listen, support and assess student risk of self-harm if necessary.  They are also excellent resources to connect you and your family to mental health counseling in our community 

In addition to our school counselors, many schools have other programs providing mental health counseling in our schools including System of Care, PALS, The Nest, and collaborations with local agencies. The school counselor at each school can help coordinate these services for you, your friend or your child.

School Social Workers

Alachua County School social workers are master's level mental health professionals that provide individual and group counseling to students.  They also work with families and community agencies to provide assistance and resources that are essential for promoting student success.  School social workers play a vital role as a link between the home, school, and community.

System of Care

The System of Care (SOC) is an Alachua County Public Schools District Program.  The SOC IMPACT TEAMS consist of masters level social workers and mental health counselors assigned to high-need schools.  They provide intensive mental health counseling and wrap-around social services.  The SOC network consists of 125 public and private agencies working together to provide services to help families with complex needs, stay connected as a family, and to help the child stay in the community.  This process is driven by the family and their support team, and helps to ensure that services result in positive outcomes for all.