# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management provides a proactive, evidence-based approach for identifying individuals who may pose a threat and for providing interventions before a violent incident occurs. This toolkit introduces the concept of threat assessment and outlines how a threat assessment program functions in a school setting.

An effective, functioning threat assessment team is a critical component of keeping your school safe and preventing violence. This toolkit presents the process of how a threat assessment team identifies, assesses, and manages threats. The toolkit also includes guidance and resources for forming and implementing a team in your school or district.

As required by the 86 th Texas Legislature and SB 11, the Texas School Safety Center, in coordination with the Texas Education Agency, has developed model policies and procedures to assist school districts in establishing and training threat assessment teams now mandated by TEC Sec. 37.220.
Model Policies and Procedures Threat Assessment Data Collection Info from TEA: Sept 2020
Browse & Download All Job-Aids Offered in this Toolkit

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management for Educators and Administrators | Texas School Safety Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management provides a proactive, evidence-based approach for identifying individuals who may pose a threat and for providing interventions before a violent incident occurs. This toolkit introduces the concept of threat assessment and outlines how a threat assessment program functions in a school setting.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Texas School Mental Health Practice Guide and Toolkit provides information, considerations, resources, and tools for schools. The purpose is to help Local Education Agencies plan and provide a comprehensive school mental health system. This toolkit supports schools with readiness to plan interventions, services and supports for the Safe and Supportive School Program. Various resources and tools can be accessed in the toolkit library.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School Mental Health Toolkit - Texas School Mental Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Texas School Mental Health Practice Guide and Toolkit provides information, considerations, resources, and tools for schools. The purpose is to help Local Education Agencies plan and provide a comprehensive school mental health system. This toolkit supports schools with readiness to plan interventions, services and supports for the Safe and Supportive School Program.

# data[].attributes.headline
Model Policies/Procedures to Establish/Train School BTA

# data[].attributes.subject
Model Policies/Procedures to Establish/Train School BTA

# data[].attributes.headline
Recent Updates: Parent Notification Scripts, Documentation Checklist

# data[].attributes.subject
Recent Updates: Parent Notification Scripts, Documentation Checklist

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
School Behavioral Threat Assessment: 88th Legislative Session Update | Texas School Safety Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The School Behavioral Threat Assessment: 88th Legislative Session Update video introduces you to the five new responsibilities concerning the school behavioral threat assessment process in Texas resulting from the 88th legislative session. It also provides guidance for understanding and implementing these responsibilities, and related resources for those desiring additional information.

# data[].attributes.headline
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) for Schools 

# data[].attributes.subject
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS) for Schools 

# data[].attributes.headline
PHQ w/ ASQ Depression + Suicide Screener 

# data[].attributes.subject
PHQ w/ ASQ Depression + Suicide Screener 

# data[].attributes.headline
Open Ended Questions to Guide Safety Planning

# data[].attributes.subject
Open Ended Questions to Guide Safety Planning

# data[].attributes.headline
Safety Plan w/ Instructions; Eng/Span Versions

# data[].attributes.subject
Safety Plan w/ Instructions; Eng/Span Versions

# data[].attributes.headline
Elementary/MS Suicide Monitoring Tool (Singer & Colleagues)

# data[].attributes.subject
Elementary/MS Suicide Monitoring Tool (Singer & Colleagues)

# data[].attributes.headline
Secondary Version of Suicide Monitoring Tool (Singer & Colleagues)

# data[].attributes.subject
Secondary Version of Suicide Monitoring Tool (Singer & Colleagues)

# data[].attributes.headline
Parent Notification Letter for Deceased Student/Staff/Community Member

# data[].attributes.subject
Parent Notification Letter for Deceased Student/Staff/Community Member

# data[].attributes.headline
Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (Great Handouts in Appendices for All Involved!) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Psychological First Aid Field Operations Guide (Great Handouts in Appendices for All Involved!) 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to content

Research shows that students who are taught skills for managing emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and responsible decision-making have better academic performance, and students whose mental health needs are met with effective school and community supports are more likely to stay in school, graduate, and have positive life outcomes. The Texas School Mental Health website strives to provide districts and campuses with the resources and tools needed to develop a comprehensive school mental health system.

Find out about upcoming events related to student mental health.

Find tools and resources to help build school mental health systems.

Participate in online training on school mental health.

Texas School Mental Health is a Partnership Between:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Texas School Mental Health website strives to provide districts and campuses with the resources and tools needed to develop a comprehensive school mental health system.

# data[].attributes.headline
Texas School Safety Center Mental Health Toolkit

# data[].attributes.subject
Texas School Safety Center Mental Health Toolkit

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Recent tragedies such as acts of targeted school violence, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize the need for, and importance of, supporting students' mental and behavioral health. Legislators, school administrators, community members, and parents acknowledge the need for readily available mental health supports, services, and resources for students; however, it can be difficult to determine what resources are available within any specific region of Texas. This document is designed to be a starting point for awareness of what is occurring at the state-level and for identifying area resources.

Mental Health Resources

The Collaborative Task Force on Public School Mental Health

Established through the 86th Texas Legislature, the Task Force was developed to study and evaluate school mental health services and training. The Task Force is additionally responsible for creating a report and providing recommendations to Texas Legislators. The Year 1 Report captures COVID-19-specific recommendations, overall goals, state-funded and federally-funded school mental health services and educator training, and indicators of quality school mental health systems.

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Texas Education Code §38.254 charges TEA with developing a statewide plan "to ensure that all students have adequate access to mental health resources." This plan details how TEA envisions supporting Texas schools with behavioral health access, resources, interventions, referrals, and recommendations. The plan also details TEA's 5 Year Plan to address statutory charges and timeline for implementation.

Texas School Mental Health

This initiative is a partnership between TEA, Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education (AWARE) Texas, Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, and other statewide partners. Resources and tools listed on the website provide districts and schools with how to create a comprehensive system for school mental health.

Texas Health and Human Services

Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) provides numerous public services and resources for both children and adults. Children's services include, but are not limited to, crisis intervention, assessment services, case management services, community mental health services, mental health counseling services, skills training services, transition-age services, and Youth Empowerment Services (YES) waiver. The YES waiver is a Medicaid program that provides intensive community-based services to youth experiencing mental health or behavioral difficulties.

Find Your Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA), Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA), or Regional Education Service Center (ESC).

Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT)

TCHATT is an initiative of the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium that provides behavioral telehealth or telemedicine services to school districts to increase access to mental health services. Although many schools in Texas are enrolled with TCHATT, not all schools or districts participate. You can determine if your school or district is currently enrolled or soon-to-be enrolled in TCHATT and learn how and when to use TCHATT via the interactive map below.

Non-Physician Mental Health Professionals

In 2019, the Texas Education Code was amended with the directive for local mental health authorities to employ one non-physician mental health professional at each of the 20 regional ESCs. Each professional serves as a resource and provides training (e.g., Mental Health First Aid and trauma-informed practices) for school districts located in their ESC region. The report below outlines the findings of the 2020 implementation and outcomes of the non-physician mental health professionals.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

The Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential, and free support by trained counselors for anyone in distress. The Lifeline also provides prevention and crisis resources and best practices for professionals. Beginning July 16, 2022, anyone in the United States who dials, texts, or online chats 988 will be routed and connected to the Lifeline. The goal is that this easy-to-remember number will increase awareness, reduce mental health stigma, and meet the growing need for crisis intervention. The Lifeline hopes that "When you've got a police, fire or rescue emergency, you call 911. When you have an urgent mental health need, you'll call 988."

A Parent's Guide to School Safety Toolkit

This toolkit, developed by the Texas School Safety Center, introduces key school safety and behavioral health topics, highlights relevant Texas laws, and provides specific information about school safety that you and your child need to know. Mental health topics include behavioral health and illness, bullying and cyberbullying, anonymous reporting, internet safety, sexting, dating violence, suicide prevention, and tobacco use and vaping. The toolkit also includes tips on how to talk with your child about behavioral health, answers to important questions related to school safety and behavioral health, and additional resources.

Mental Health Texas

Mental Health Texas provides resources, links, and information about mental health conditions, social services (e.g., Medicaid), and how to get help for yourself or someone else. Federal and state resources and information on intellectual or developmental disability services are also available.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to improve the lives of those living with mental illness through education and support programs, advocacy, and other resources. NAMI also provides resources to those who love, work with, or live in communities with those affected by mental illness.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental Health Toolkit | Texas School Safety Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Recent tragedies such as acts of targeted school violence, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize the need for, and importance of, supporting students' mental and behavioral health. Legislators, school administrators, community members, and parents acknowledge the need for readily available mental health supports, services, and resources for students; however, it can be difficult to determine what resources are available within any specific region of Texas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Featured

The 2019-2022 open enrollment charter district audit cycle ends on August 31, 2022. The reporting period for this cycle begins April 15, 2022. The online reporting system (CARtool) used to submit your audit data to the TxSSC will open on April 15, 2022 and must be completed by September 15, 2022. The TxSSC will begin reaching out to verify Superintendent contact information on January 17, 2022 to ensure all districts receive a link to the online reporting system. For more information click .

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is an official university-level research center at Texas State University, a member of the Texas State University System. The TxSSC is tasked in Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code with key school safety initiatives and mandates that include planning, training, and drilling, and in the Governor's Homeland Security Strategic Plan.

# data[].attributes.headline
Project Restore: Free, Modular, Virtual Video-Based Trauma Training Series (Texas Ed. Agency) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Project Restore: Free, Modular, Virtual Video-Based Trauma Training Series (Texas Ed. Agency) 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skip to main content

As a result of school closures and remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students have been at higher risk of exposure due to adverse childhood experiences and first hand exposure to the effects of COVID-19. We also know that many educators have themselves experienced a prolonged state of stress over the course of the pandemic and share many of the concerns regarding loss of safety, health and predictability as students upon the return to school.

That's why TEA has launched Project Restore and this trauma-informed training video series, which is designed to address these extraordinary and unprecedented needs and connect you to relevant science and strategies that can help you address your own emotional needs as well the needs of your students and colleagues. This series will help educators create an environment that jump starts teaching and learning and drives student achievement.

Get Started

© Copyright 2020 Texas Education Agency (TEA). All Rights Reserved.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Skip to main content As a result of school closures and remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students have been at higher risk of exposure due to adverse childhood experiences and first hand exposure to the effects of COVID-19.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative relies on generous contributions from community members like you to support our work. The fact is that persons who are impacted by mental illness or who need support for suicide prevention, suicide loss, or a previous attempt rarely come into contact with the public mental health system. Many go without treatment or support at all.

To help communities, we must build and support locally available resources for those who may be at risk of suicide-and that's the essential work of the Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative. Given the size of Texas, this task is challenging, but with your support, we can accomplish it-together.

We now accept crypto donations along with traditional monetary donations. Please support those who need help in your community today.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Texas Suicide Prevention | Know the Signs. Save a Life.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative relies on generous contributions from community members like you to support our work. The fact is that persons who are impacted by mental illness or who need support for suicide prevention, suicide loss, or a previous attempt rarely come into contact with the public mental health system.

# data[].attributes.headline
Texas Education Agency (TEA) Mental/Behavioral Health Site

# data[].attributes.subject
Texas Education Agency (TEA) Mental/Behavioral Health Site

# data[].attributes.headline
TEA: Restorative Practices Training Series

# data[].attributes.subject
TEA: Restorative Practices Training Series

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dr. Gaye Lang, Director for Restorative Practices for the Texas Education Agency, is joined every month by a panel of educators who share their experiences and successes with Restorative Practices. The panel will showcase real-world examples of how this approach has positively impacted students in their schools and communities.

# data[].attributes.headline
Lethal Means Restriction Conversation Guide

# data[].attributes.subject
Lethal Means Restriction Conversation Guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lethal Means Restriction Handout_From CALM

# data[].attributes.headline
Suicide Training Slide Deck (Brief Version)

# data[].attributes.subject
Suicide Training Slide Deck (Brief Version)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DISD Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Response Procedures June 2022