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Karly Rusness
Mental Health and Wellness M.Ed

Personal Goal: to enter into the counseling profession with optimism and to find it in all that I do.
Professional Goal: To complete a PhD in Educational Psychology and help create spectacular Gifted and Talented programs for students while keeping their mental wellbeing at the center of the curriculum.

I would like to add to my personal education philosophy to include crisis and trauma responses to 21st century learning situations and student needs.

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Being a culturally responsive counselor and educator is essential. I live outside of Dallas and our communities are a wonderful blend of many cultures. To not take culture and differences into everything that I do as an educator is negligent. When I am working with families through issues it will be pertinent that I, at least, have some knowledge of their culture and values. If I do not take these into consideration how will I truly help the student? Every family, no matter their culture, has their own set of values and it will be important to understand that throughout my career. It will be difficult at times when the values of a family in need and my own do not align-but that is part of working with human beings. One of the most important things I have done in my classroom is allow students to, not only talk about their uniqueness but to teach about it. I have learned why Jewish people celebrate different holidays at certain times of the year, or how Bangladeshi women are often very quiet but have a lovely, naturist outlook on the world, or how, in the French culture, they do not start educating their children until the age of seven or eight. If I did not take the time to learn these cardinal facts I would be missing out on so much from my students and I would not be able to offer meaningful education to them. Understanding culture while delivering responsive services is not an "extra" duty, it should be a primary learning standard for helping professions.

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Unit 1; Assignment 4: MHD Reference Guide

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Unit 1; Assignment 4: MHD Reference Guide

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This assignment is perfect for a professional as a guide to information. Sometimes I will need to find information quickly or may not even know where to start, this is the perfect guide to help with that. I can definitely see using this when students or adults are in crisis and I need to know where to go to find more information. It is also super important to keep things like this available as the years go by and, as a professional, you get removed from training-this will be a perfect reference in years to come. This is also a great reminder to update resources over the years to stay on top of research and information.

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders-Module 1 6332

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Module 1: Introduction and Prior Knowledge

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Module 1: Introduction and Prior Knowledge

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I am in the middle of my MA in Health and Wellness Counseling.  My career plans are in the works but they include wanting to work in the teaching and learning department in my school district.  I want to help inform the curriculum to include mental health components.  I think curriculums are puzzles and SEL can be woven into frameworks that are already in place-there just needs to be buy-in and meaningful training.  I also want to focus on mental health and wellness of staff.  I think this could be a focus of T/L and it is dire that we address it now.  One goal for this course is to find theory or personal philosophy on how to approach student learning while being trauma informed at a deeper level.  I am a mom to one brilliant 5th grade boy, and am getting married in June!  Looking forward to a great course and intriguing discourse!

My biggest takeaway, and it is becoming a glaring pattern in each of the courses, is that student mental health is not only declining, but students are in crisis throughout our country.  On top of this painful discovery the NIMH website includes the statistic that 1 in 5 adults lives with mental illness-that is 51.5 million people.  Additionally, females are higher on that list.  In a female dominated industry that works directly with students in crisis, how are we not assuming, at the highest levels, that our teachers aren’t also in crisis in regards to mental health?  NAMI states that the world is losing productivity at staggering rates because of these statistics.  I feel that approaching administrators with the fact that productivity is down may help them realize how important mental health is.

In regards to previous knowledge, I have been made aware of how serious that need for mental health awareness in schools has become.  The CDC quiz helped me realize I have learned a lot in my courses and that I recognize where mental health concerns may come from.  I know that I tiptoed through my high school years without anyone knowing the trauma I faced at home.  Back then bootstraps were the only “cure” for failure.  I clawed my way through adolescence on my own. I’m thankful that I was an athlete and, because of that, things were a little easier than they may have been had I not had my successes and my friends to sweep me up in their excellence.  My sister and brother both ended up not graduating and in jail, both riddled with mental health crises their entire lives.  I was able to compartmentalize and move past the “crabs in a bucket” mentality and verbal abuse that I lived with.  This course can help me further understand why I was able to do it and my brother and sister were not.  I have some ideas and I will be interested to read more about them throughout the course.

In my future role in teaching and learning, I want to use the statistics and studies I have read over the last year to inform instruction.  I want to bring concrete ideas for trauma response teams, preventative care in the classroom, training and lesson resources for teachers, and community outreach for staff, parents, and students.  I think it is so important for teachers to understand where their tough kids are coming from-not give excuses but, rather, a basis on which to understand and find the strength to help student and teacher through whatever is causing their collective trauma.

Student specific trauma response will be important for creating meaningful PD for teachers.  Region 10 has a lot of great resources for professional development.  https://txr10.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=2641267 This course is titled “Youth Mental Health First Aid”.  Now, the hardest part is finding a class called “Teacher mental health First Aid”.  I looked all year last year for something like this and could not find a reasonable class for teachers, specifically.  Hopefully the need for it has caused some entities to create teacher courses; however, this would also be a great course to create as a T/L professional.

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The documentary assignment was hard for me. The topic in Athlete A was close to home for me as I was a gymnast and USAG coach for a long time. It was beneficial to look at the issues outlined in the show through the lens of a mental health professional. It was even more staggering to see how truly heinous and negligent the situation was. It made me so angry that I had a situation where I reported sexual abuse and my school counselors did nothing-this is what happened to those gymnasts over and over for years. If I had not had the personal experience of counselors doing nothing in a similar situation it would have been almost unbelievable that this happened. My resolve to do what is right by people in crisis is renewed...to not stop until the wrong is right.

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This was a great assignment to apply knowledge and prepare a document. I imagine there is a lot of paperwork involved in counseling and being able to express your thoughts clearly and concisely will be very important. Through the reading and the document I found that there are so many things to look at when addressing even one issue. There is certainly always a back story and problems that need to be addressed immediately as you are working on the deeper root of the problem over time. Another thing that struck me is how family and relationship issues effect the treatments and outcomes of everything a counselor does. This was a useful and informative assignment.

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Crisis and Prevention Threat Assessment: Dating Violence

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Crisis and Prevention Threat Assessment: Dating Violence

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The threat assessment group project gave me practice on how to start researching and creating a referral process for my school. Although this was specific to Dating Violence the referral process could be utilized for other crisis situations. This assignment will be useful as I create specific referral documents for my school. We all approached this project in the mindset of an educator or counselor at a school.  It was beneficial, as I was working, to see how this resource could be used in a rehab facility or other mental health entity.  It really outlined how much work goes into something like this.  I also wanted to note that I felt that there would be so much more to do when you have a specific goal in mind.  That is to say that if you were working in a high school and dating violence came up with your students you may approach this resource in a more specific manner (the assessments, the community outreach, etc).  This was a beneficial assignment as a needed resource in my role as a counselor or teacher.

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Trauma 6332- Group Work_ Dating Violence

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It was interesting to me to assess the study in regard to demographics. This relates to a few discussions I have seen on Twitter where educators have noticed that studies on intelligences and mental health need are, a lot of times, based on predominantly white schools or higher socio-economic areas. This is important to note when you are collecting data for programs that are being offered at your school. Mental Health programs will differ greatly depending on the demographic and finding studies and data to back up the right thing to offer are important. It was also important for me to learn more about grief trauma. It really hit home in regard to a situation I had last year with a student (as outlined in the blog post).

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https://mentalhealthtx.org/facilities/trauma-support-services-of-north-texas-dallas-area-office/

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Trauma Support Services of North Texas - Dallas Area Office - Mental Health TX

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Provides personalized, compassionate care for those affected by trauma. Also provides education and training for professionals, volunteers, interns and the general public who come in contact with trauma survivors and their families. Since 2007, providing professional trauma therapy to victims of crime and other traumatized children and adults.

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https://www.sccenter.org/

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Crisis can strike any time, day or night. When feelings of hopelessness, isolation, shame, and anxiety lead people to think that suicide is their only option, they can't wait for help. They need to talk to someone at our suicide and crisis hotline...now.

2020 Fashion Stars for a Cause (FSFAC) Event Postponed

Thank you for joining Suicide and Crisis Center (SCCenter) in our very important mission to help so many in our communities through suicide prevention and crisis intervention. We feel in the current environment with COVID-19 that the responsible thing for SCCenter to do is postpone the Fashion Stars for a Cause (FSFAC) event until a more appropriate time.

This was not an easy decision as this event raises much needed funds for our programs (Teens Can Survive and Survivors of Suicide) as well as our 24/7 Crisis line which receives 2,000 calls a month. We believe this is a correct and responsible decision. Our primary concern in postponing the event is the health, safety and welfare of our generous donors, sponsors and participants.

Our 2020 Fashion Stars for the Cause join us in thanking you for your understanding. We pray for the safety of all during this time. We will be back with more information on rescheduling the FSFAC event.

24/7 Suicide & Crisis Hotline

If you are in crisis or have suicidal thoughts, please call our suicide crisis hotline at 214-828-1000. You can also text "CONNECT" to 741741 anytime to reach trained, caring volunteers at the National Crisis Text Line.

Guidelines for Media Reporting of Suicide

Suicide is a public health issue that should be handled with care and sensitivity when it comes to reporting by various news and media outlets. This is especially true in regard to headlines that may sensationalize or glamorize death, whether it be intentional or not. While such headlines may capture the reader's attention, an unintentional effect can be a higher risk of additional suicides. If you are a member of the media or press reporting on a suicide, please click the View Guidelines button to download best practices for reporting on this tragic public health issue.

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Stay in-the-know by signing up for email updates on upcoming events and important information and statistics. You will also have access to newsletters that contain stories and articles about suicide, tips on surviving (for survivors of suicide), and information about current and/or past events. You can sign up for updates by clicking on the button below or text "HOPELINE" to 22828 (message and data rates may apply).

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Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas

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Crisis can strike any time, day or night. When feelings of hopelessness, isolation, shame, and anxiety lead people to think that suicide is their only option, they can't wait for help. They need to talk to someone at our suicide and crisis hotline...now.

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Referral Resources for Substance Abuse Texas

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Referral Resources for Substance Abuse Texas

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Outreach, screening, assessment and referral (OSAR) is a service available to all individuals interested in information about substance use services. OSAR can be the starting point for individuals who want help accessing substance use services but are unsure where to begin.

OSAR Services are incorporated into Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHA)/Local Behavioral Health Authorities (LBHA) across the 11 Texas Health and Human Services Regions. The only requirement for service is that an individual is currently residing in the state of Texas.

Find OSAR services in your area.

For immediate and confidential help, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, please call the OSAR LMHA in your region. Counties served by each OSAR are listed below the contact information in the list of OSAR LMHAs. You may also call or contact 211 Texas. Dial 2-1-1 or call 877-541-7905.

OSAR Services by Region

Region 1 StarCare Specialty Health System LMHA

1950 Aspen Ave.
Lubbock, TX 79404
Crisis phone: 806-740-1414 or 800-687-7581
OSAR phone: 806-740-1421 or 844-472-8810
www.starcarelubbock.org

Counties served: Armstrong, Bailey, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Crosby, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Dickens, Donley, Floyd, Garza, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hockley, Hutchinson, King, Lamb, Lipscomb, Lubbock, Lynn, Moore, Motley, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, Terry, Wheeler and Yoakum

Region 2 Helen Farabee Centers LMHA

1000 Brook St.
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
Crisis phone: 800-621-8504
Main phone: 940-397-3300
Substance use disorder: 940-397-3391
OSAR Appointments and information: 325-673-2242 Extension #100(Abilene and surrounding counties)
OSAR Appointments and information: 940-224-6200 (Wichita Falls and surrounding counties)
www.helenfarabee.org/

Counties served: Archer, Baylor, Brown, Callahan, Clay, Coleman, Comanche, Cottle, Eastland, Fisher, Foard, Hardeman, Haskell, Jack, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Montague, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger and Young

Region 3 Life Path Systems LBHA

1515 Heritage Drive
Suite 100
McKinney, TX 75069
Main phone: 972-562-9647
or
7304 Alma Drive
Plano, TX 75025
Crisis phone: 877-422-5939
Email: bhosar@lifepathsystems.org
Main phone: 972-422-5939 www.lifepathsystems.org/

Counties served: Collin

Region 3 My Health My Resources MHMR of Tarrant County LMHA

Counties served: Cooke, Denton, Erath, Fannin, Grayson, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise

Region 3 North Texas Behavioral Health Authority LBHA

9441 LBJ Freeway
Suite 350
Dallas, TX 75243
Crisis phone: 866-260-8000
Main phone: 877-653-6363
OSAR phone: 844-275-0600
OSAR e-mail: osar@ntbha.org
www.ntbha.org

Counties served: Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall

Region 4 Andrews Center Behavioral Healthcare System LMHA

2323 West Front St.
Tyler, TX 75702-7747
Crisis phone: 877-934-2131
Main phone: 903-597-1351
www.andrewscenter.com

For substance use disorder information, screening or referrals please call East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Direct 903-753-7633 or 800-441-8639
www.andrewscenter.com/

Counties served: Anderson, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood

Region 5 Burke LMHA

2001 S. Medford Drive
Lufkin, TX 75901-5699
Crisis phone: 800-445-8562 or 800-392-8343
Main phone: 936-634-5753
www.myburke.org/
Substance use disorder screening: www.adacdet.org

Counties served: Angelina, Hardin, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler

Region 6 The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD LMHA

Counties served: Harris

For substance use disorder services please call the Council on Recovery
303 Jackson Hill St.
Houston, TX 77007
OSAR phone: 713-942-4100
Helpline: 713-970-7000

Counties served: Serving Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Walker, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton

Region 6 Gulf Coast Center LMHA

Counties served: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton

Region 7 Bluebonnet Trails Community Services LMHA

1009 N. Georgetown St.
Round Rock, TX 78664
Crisis phone: 800-841-1255
OSAR phone: 844-309-6385
www.bbtrails.org/

Counties served: Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Coryell, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Grimes, Hamilton, Hays, Hill, Lampasas, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Madison, McLennan, Milam, Mills, Robertson, San Saba, Travis, Washington and Williamson

Region 8 The Center for Health Care Services LMHA

601 N. Frio
Bldg. II-Entrance C
San Antonio, TX 78207
Crisis phone: 800-316-9241 or 210-223-7233
Main OSAR phone: 210-261-3076
OSAR email: OSAR@chcsbc.org
www.chcsbc.org

Counties served: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Calhoun, Comal, DeWitt, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Jackson, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, La Salle, Lavaca, Maverick, Medina, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, Victoria, Wilson and Zavala

Region 9 PermiaCare (formerly Permian Basin Community Centers) LMHA

Counties served: Andrews, Borden, Coke, Concho, Crane, Crockett, Dawson, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Howard, Irion, Kimble, Loving, Martin, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Midland, Pecos, Reagan, Reeves, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton, Terrell, Tom Green, Upton, Ward and Winkler

Region 10 Emergence Health Network LMHA

8500 Boeing Dr.
El Paso, TX 79925
OSAR: 915-747-3605
Fax: 915-757-2621
Crisis phone: 915-779-1800
Main phone: 915-887-3410
www.emergencehealthnetwork.org/osar/
osar@ehnelpaso.org

Counties served: Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio

Region 11 Tropical Texas Behavioral Health LMHA

1901 S. 24th Ave.
Edinburg TX
Crisis phone: 877-289-7199
OSAR Main phone: 800-813-1233
OSAR E-mail: sud@ttbh.org
www.ttbh.org

Counties served: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Willacy and Zapata

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Outreach, Screening, Assessment & Referral | Texas Health and Human Services

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Outreach, screening, assessment and referral (OSAR) is a service available to all individuals interested in information about substance use services. OSAR can be the starting point for individuals who want help accessing substance use services but are unsure where to begin.

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ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors

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ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors

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The ASCA code of ethics will be an important road map to follow when working with children as a counselor. Working from a specific set of rules and standards will ensure that I am giving the best care to my students and being guided by the law. Standards are an important resource when writing manuals and procedures for you school. They are also important to review to ensure that I am following best practice and am knowledgeable about any change in law.

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Daly, Kelly A., and Amy D. Marshall. “Trauma during Early Adolescence and Boys' Social Behavior: A Focus on Teen Dating Violence.” Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, vol. 14, no. 4, Dec. 2021, pp. 471–482. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-021-00339-z. Accessed 5 Feb. 2022.

Spencer, C. M., Toews, M. L., Anders, K. M., & Emanuels, S. K. (2021). Risk markers for physical teen dating violence perpetration: A meta-analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 22(3), 619–631. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838019875700

Bonilla-Zorita, G., Griffiths, M. D., & Kuss, D. J. (2021). Online Dating and Problematic Use: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 19(6), 2245–2278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00318-9

Edwards, R., & Jones, W. (2002). The ABCD Model of Crisis Intervention . Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists . Retrieved March 2, 2022, from http://www.atss-hq.com/

Acevedo, A. (2015). A personalistic appraisal of Maslow’s needs theory of motivation: From “humanistic” psychology to integral humanism. Journal of Business Ethics, 148(4), 741–763. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2970-0

American Counseling Association. (2014). Code of Ethics.  Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health. (2021, November 17). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health