CANYON, Texas (KFDA) – Starting this school year, Canyon Independent School District will provide mental health services to all staff members.
Canyon Independent School District says it implemented the program because it recognizes the importance of mental health, especially in today's challenging environment.
The program offers online therapy with anytime access to mental health professionals.
“We connect with licensed therapists, and they message us and say, 'Hey, what's my availability? What's the best time for you?' and, 'What's your schedule for that?' And, like I said, this is e-therapy, so it can be done on the weekends. I'm really happy to be able to do this in meetings at work,” said Sierra Ibarra, a seventh-grade science teacher at Randall Middle School.
Canyon ISD provided a statement about what these services are designed for.
“These services are designed to help staff stay well, manage stress and maintain balance, all of which contribute to our ability to provide a high-quality education and support to our students,” said Lisa Johnson, district communications director for Canyon Independent School District.
Teachers have given positive feedback about the program’s ready availability.
“When I got the notice about the services, I was really excited. It was just like a sense of relief, like, 'Oh, a little bit easier,' because especially as a new teacher, you're taking a lot of the needs of your students home with you,” Ibarra said. “Sometimes there are no boundaries and you have to make them yourself, but it was a huge sense of relief to know that we have these services.”
Canyon Independent School District says the mental health program is part of a broader effort to support its employees.
The goal is to make these services available for as long as they are necessary and beneficial to Canyon ISD staff.
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