Mental Health in the School System with Denise Cipolla

Your job as a parent is to advocate for your child, particularly
when there is a mental health concern because we want our
children to know that, if they’re going through something
emotionally, it impacts the whole family. Therapy or treatment is
not ‘fix my kid’, it’s ‘help my family’. Once a child realizes
this, they’ll find it easier to see their value in the family and
that is immensely helpful! Joining us in conversation today is
Denise Cipolla, Administrative Coordinator of Guidance and
Counseling for Conroe ISD. She shares with us why mental health
is such a focus for Conroe ISD and how mental health support is
also a support mechanism for learning. Today, you’ll hear about
the social-emotional learning playbook created by teachers,
administrators, and counselors, and learn what trauma-informed
teaching and care looks like. Denise reveals what she has
witnessed happening when mental health is left unattended to,
explores why some parents are emotional hostages of their
children, and explains why stress and anxiety is the highest
presenting problem in students of all ages, as well as where that
stems from. Join us today to learn from Denise’s wealth of wisdom
for parents looking to guide their children through managing
their mental health. Thanks for tuning in! 




Key Points From This Episode:


A parent’s role to advocate for their child, especially if
there is a mental health concern. 

Three places people go when they are concerned about their
child’s mental health: the church, the school, and the family
physician.

Today’s guest, Administrative Coordinator of Guidance and
Counseling, Denise Cipolla. 

An introduction to Denise and her family, travels, and career
leading up to this role.

Why mental health is a focus for Conroe ISD as a support
mechanism for learning.

The social emotional learning playbook created by teachers,
administrators, and counselors.

Trauma informed teaching and trauma informed care.

Trends in mental health, and how problems are pushing down
younger and younger.

Stress and anxiety, the highest presenting problem in
students of all ages.

How people tend to be more kind face-to-face than via social
media. 

Where stress and anxiety stems from: pressure to be the very
best and never to fail.

The lasting impact of mental health issues that are left
unattended to. 

How some parents are emotional hostages of their children.

The message you send your children when you do everything for
them.

What Conroe ISD does to share resources within the county,
including working with Mosaics.

The ideal point of contact at the school if you are concerned
about your child: the school counselor or a teacher if you are
not yet comfortable with the counselor.

How to navigate children leaving for mental health
appointments. 

TChat, the telemental health that is delivered through Baylor
School of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.

Choosing to withdraw a child to allow them to focus on their
mental health.

Why it is helpful for a child to know that seeking help is
not ‘fix my kid’ but ‘help my family’.

Unique circumstances under which accommodations can be made
related to mental health. 

The power of a growth mindset rather than a fixed one.

Why it is so important to ‘listen to hear’ rather than
‘listen to respond’. 

Denise’s story of hope: allow people to help you, because in
doing so you are helping them.






Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:


Mosaics of Mercy
Denise Cipolla on LinkedIn
Conroe ISD