In Poudre School District, each of us - no matter what our job is - contributes to the success of our students. While what we do is meaningful and often gratifying work, it can be hard and tough on us too because we care so much about the kids and our work, in addition to our own children, families and friends.
Whether we're experiencing a difficult crisis or navigating stressors that come up in daily life, it's important that we address issues and take time for ourselves. Here are some services to help you do that, as well as resources to help you support students.
PSD EAS, Health and Wellness Programs
PSD Employee Assistance Services supports staff with counseling services for personal and work issues. Services are free and confidential.
EAS provides crisis response 24/7 at 970-488-4925, ext. 1. The EAS answering service will connect you with the on-call counselor. No cost for after-hours counseling. All contact is confidential. More about EAS, services, appointments and staff >>
Download/print these slides:
The PSD Health & Wellness Program helps staff make more mindful life choices to achieve their best health for themselves and their families. Wellness activities and opportunities are available to all employees, with a focus on health prevention and screenings. More about Health & Wellness programs, the employee health clinic, Lifestyle Health >>
Employee Affinity Groups
PSD is committed to providing safe and inclusive learning and work environments for staff. As part of that commitment, PSD has developed affinity groups to provide an environment for staff to be part of a community where they can be who they are.
Employee Affinity Groups (EAGs) are employee-led and facilitated groups formed around interests, backgrounds, identities, and common bonds. Through participation in EAGs, staff help foster a positive work environment in PSD by actively contributing to its mission, values, and efforts specific to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Additional 24/7 Crisis Services
You can reach out to the following services any time - night or day.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis - call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Colorado Crisis Services- To talk with someone, call 1-844-493-8255 or text 'talk' to 38255.
Safe2Tell: Anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, friends, family or community. Report a safety concern on the Safe2Tell website or call 1-877-542-7233.
Supporting students
We want our students to not only do well, we want them to be well in all aspects of their lives. It can be hard when we see a young person struggle. Here are ways you can support them:
- Keep communication open
- Be aware of any changes in their behavior
- Seek help or resources if you have questions or if you feel a student or their family needs support. Talk to the counselor at your school about any concerns you have. More about services in schools:
- Complete a QPR Suicide Prevention Training to learn how you can identify and help someone at risk for suicide.
Warning signs and steps you should take
Warning signs that a student may be struggling with an issue:
- Uncharacteristic behavior
- Changes in friendships or isolation
- Drop in academic performance
- Loss of interest in activities
- Personality change
- Excessive sleeping
If a student is talking about depression or suicide, immediate steps you should take:
- Never leave a suicidal individual alone.
- Acknowledge you are taking them seriously.
- Let them know you are accessing resources to help keep them safe.
More: PSD Protocols When a Student May Be Suicidal | Suicide Prevention
Resources for classrooms and sites
Mental Health Materials Guide to Support Students
Here are mental health materials and how to use them to support students. This guide includes these materials:
- Ask, Listen Connect posters - help spread the word! We Ask, Listen and Connect in our daily lives to check in with ourselves and each other. This means:
- Ask people how they are doing.
- Listen actively and pay attention to what they may need or are asking for
- Connect - Sometimes if we're worried about someone’s well being or safety, we'll need to connect them to resources including a trusted adult and/or counselor at school.
- Tips to help students check in with themselves
Elementary Students: Big Feelings Fliers
Middle and High School Students: Brain Break Fliers
- Conversation starter postcards to distribute to students and families - please find them in the guide with suggestions on how to use them. >>
- School newsletters - Blurbs to include in newsletters to families >>
- "You are never alone. There is help." slides
English - Getting Help Tips for Youth
- "Ask, Listen, Connect" slides
English Ask, Listen Connect Slide
- Mental health announcements:
English announcement | Arabic announcement | Spanish announcement
Student athletes and mental health
Learn about the challenges of being a student athlete and how you can help foster a culture of well-being in this Student Athlete Mental Health booklet.
Additional resources
Community Mental Health Support Services
- Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County - Offers information about suicide, including facts, warning signs, community resources, grief support groups and more. This is not a crisis service.
- Healthinfosource.com - Lists mental health and substance use providers and resources in the community.
- Mental Health Connections - Offers information and support on mental health and substance abuse issues. Call 970- 221-5551. Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Connections services also available.
- SummitStone Health Partners and Community Crisis Center - Crisis, family mental health, substance abuse services and counseling available. Call 970-494-4200 for all services and for mobile crisis counselors in Larimer County (available 24/7/365).
- The Center for Family Outreach - Education, prevention, early intervention and counseling for substance use, emotional, mental health and wellbeing.
- UCHealth Crisis Assessment Center - Emergency Department of PVH/UCH, Lemay campus. Call 970-495-8090 with crisis concerns and for suicide assessments
Chronic Illness, Grief and Trauma Resources
Chronic Illness
Community Trauma Resources:
- Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After a Recent Shooting
- Español - Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After a Recent Shooting
General Grief Resources
Grief Resources for Specific Populations
IMatter Free Therapy for Youth
The I Matter program provides up to six free mental health sessions with a licensed provider and is open to youth 18 years of age or younger, or 21 years of age or younger if receiving special education services. Per state law, youth 12 and older can consent to therapy. Visit IMatterColorado.org and YoImportoColorado.org to take a confidential online survey and schedule sessions with a licensed behavioral health clinician. Parents of youth 11 and younger need to take the survey and consent to services for their youth. More: I Matter website or YoImportoColorado.org.>>
NoCo Community Resource Guide
Being well-resourced in basic needs, such as food, clothing and housing, all support mental well-being. The NoCo Community Resource Guide helps you find programs to support basic needs, as well as crisis counseling, substance use and abuse.
PSD shares this guide as a community service; making it publicly available does not constitute an endorsement of any business, organization, or resource.
Find more community resources on the PSD Family Support web page.
PSD's Work and Investment in Mental Health
In the district:
At schools:
PSD articles about mental health and children: