Cardinal Mental Health Program Featured in Ottumwa Courier
posted January 26, 2021
Last Friday, Cardinal Community School District was featured in an Ottumwa Courier story about how we've grown our mental health program. We are so thrilled to have our story out there and hope it furthers our mission to reduce mental health stigmas.
MS/HS Professional School Counselor
Michelle Edwards, our middle school and high school counselor, began building the program in 2018 when she asked Superintendent Joel Pedersen for more mental health support for students. The program has grown and improved each year thanks to partnerships with organizations like River Hills Community Health Center and a dedicated Mental Health Committee.
"I could not have made this initiative an ongoing success without the work of our Mental Health Committee," Edwards says. "The staff members on this team are exceptional ladies who genuinely care about kids and families, and I am lucky to work so closely with them."
Due to the team's hard work, the program's numbers have increased each year. Currently, 150 students are seen by a therapist or counselor. In addition, the program implemented classroom lessons about mental health.
"We are providing more therapy and counseling services at Cardinal than ever before," Edwards says. "Without the partnership, we would not be able to see as many students, we could not provide classroom lessons for pre-kindergarten to 6th grade, and more students would miss school to see a provider out of the district."
Before the program began, students needing mental health assistance often had to miss school to meet with a provider in Ottumwa or another location.
"Kids need to be in school," Edwards says. "Having a mental health provider within the building also reduces the stigma that comes with mental health."
COVID-19 has increased the need for mental health services for students and their families. The Cardinal Mental Health Committee anticipates mental health concerns will continue after the pandemic ends and plan to work with their partner organizations to meet the demand.
"Cardinal is working daily to support kids and families in need," Edwards explains. "We know we have to support the whole child and are working to continue this effort. Our partnerships in Wapello County have been very beneficial to our families and we plan to continue to grow those. We are lucky to have such elite facilities within our region."
Read the Ottumwa Courier Story
Assistance & Resources
If you are concerned for a student, request assistance from the school counselor or our partner providers by filling out our counseling referral form.
Cardinal school counselors have an open-door policy. Students are always welcome to stop by and talk, and older students are encouraged to email the counselor if they'd like to be seen.
"Our team welcomes all referrals and cares about Cardinal kids," Edwards says. "We want kids to know it is okay to ask for help, and it is important to take care of yourself — even adults need care before they can properly care for others. We are here to help."
