1. School Safety Mental Health & Violence Prevention Education Law 2801 Education Law 807 (1-a) and (b) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

2. Mediating the Risk Factors for Violence Encourage "protective" factors such as: –Bonding Strong, positive relationships with family members, teachers or other adults can make a youth feel that someone takes an interest in them and cares about them. –Adults with healthy beliefs and clear standards Adults can act as role models and demonstrate to youths that people can succeed in life without being violent.

3. Mediating the Risk Factors for Violence At the individual level: Reach out to students and take a positive interest in them Encourage students to get involved Become their advocate or mentor At the school level: Anger management and counseling programs Mediation & conflict resolution programs Confidential reporting system for youth to alert school personnel with concerns regarding peers Alcohol & drug interventions for youths & families

4. Mediating the Risk Factors for Violence at the School Level Links with law enforcement agencies In-school crisis centers, staffed by professionals to work with violent youths and to be used as a “cooling off” space A building crisis team Training on managing violent youths for all school personnel Post Incident Response Plan

5. Mental Health – What You Should Know The warning signs for mental health problems Whom to turn to such as the principal, supervisor, school nurse, school psychologist, or social worker if you have questions or concerns about a student’s behavior How to access crisis support and other mental health services

6. What to Look For Anxiety Disorders: include obsessive-compulsive, panic, phobias, PTSD disorders Behavioral Disorders: may involve inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, defiant behavior, drug use, criminal activity Eating Disorders: anorexia Nervosa, binge eating, bulimia Mental health and Substance Use Disorders Mood Disorders: depression, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, self-harm Personality Disorders: antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder Psychotic Disorders: hallucinations, delusions Suicidal Behavior

7. Consult with a school counselor, nurse, or administrator and the student’s parents if you observe one or more of the following behaviors: –Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to make oneself lose weight –Intense worries or fears that get in the way of daily activities –Extreme difficulty concentrating or staying still that puts the student in physical danger or causes problems in the classroom –Repeated use of drugs or alcohol –Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships –Drastic changes in the student’s behavior or personality

8. Support the mental health of all students ~ Consider the following actions: –Promote social and emotional competency and build resilience –Help ensure a positive, safe school environment –Teach and reinforce positive behaviors and decision ‐ making –Encourage helping others –Encourage good physical health –Help ensure access to school ‐ based mental health supports

9. Definitions of Disorders AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Check the New Paltz CSD Website http://www.newpaltz.k12.ny.us/staffsafety