Forsyth County Schools: School Small Group Mental Health Support

As local schools prepared to reopen after COVID-19 closures, staff members like Karin knew that addressing the toll the pandemic took on students’ mental health would be a priority for the upcoming school year.

“It’s very important,” said Karin, who worked as a social worker for 14 years before taking on the role of Mental Health Coordinator in Forsyth County Schools. “No one really knew how the pandemic would affect the mental health of children.”

So many students dealt with the isolation of quarantine and the disruption of the school year—not to mention families navigating job losses, health concerns, or even losing loved ones. Karin and her team realized they could help.

Thanks to your donation through the Be Rich campaign, Forsyth County launched six different small groups, led by licensed counselors, to help middle and high schoolers process the trauma or anxiety they experienced during the pandemic.

“We’re still unsure about what long-lasting effects the pandemic will have on everyone,” said Karin. “So we’re just wrapping our children and students in support.”

We’re so grateful for that support and for people like Karin, who constantly find new ways to serve our local schools and support students in need!