Mrs. Mayson Hunt is the Mental Health Coordinator for Guntersville City Schools. She primarily serves Guntersville High School and Cherokee Elementary School.
La Sra. Mayson Hunt es la Coordinadora de Salud Mental de las Escuelas de la Ciudad de Guntersville. Ella trabaja principalmente en Guntersville High School y Cherokee Elementary School.
Genie Williams
Mental Health Specialist
Mrs. Genie Williams is the Mental Health Specialist for Guntersville City Schools. She primarily serves Guntersville Middle School and Guntersville Elementary School.
La Sra. Genie Williams es la especialista en salud mental de las escuelas de la ciudad de Guntersville. Ella sirve principalmente a la escuela secundaria Guntersville y a la escuela primaria Guntersville.
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
Navigating the mental health care system is challenging for patients, families, and providers. The Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC), located in the Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, is a free, confidential phone response center designed to help adult callers and community providers in finding the appropriate level of mental health care.These services are provided via telephone by licensed mental health clinicians trained to assess a child or teen’s mental, emotional, and behavioral needs and recommend the best treatment options.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Domestic violence is one of the most misunderstood crimes in our country and often the least obvious. That's why education is so important. It is the best defense against domestic violence - from identifying the signs, to understanding the cycle of abuse and the behavior of both the abuser and the victim. Only through understanding can we help families affected by domestic violence to fight back.
Family Services of North Alabama was founded in 2002, and is based in Albertville, Alabama. We serve Marshall, Blount, Cherokee, DeKalb, Jackson, and St. Clair counties. We seek to teach, empower, advocate, and liberate through education, resource networking, and providing advocacy for victims of sexual assault.
Underage drinking is a serious social issue. Drinking before the legal age has been linked to many short- and long-term negative effects on physical, mental, social and academic factors. Parental involvement can help curb underage drinking and influence teens to make safe choices. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that 70 percent of teens have tried alcohol before the age of 18. One in three high school students tries alcohol. Underage drinking is dangerous for reasons related to health and safety, but it can also lead to legal troubles and high-risk teen behavior. Combating the underage drinking epidemic begins with education, and parents are the first line of defense when it comes to helping teens make smart choices. Reducing the high rate of underage drinking also requires combined efforts of vigilant parents and informed youths, along with the support of educators and those who sell alcohol.
Teen drug addiction can require more specialized treatment and attention than adult addiction. Teens addicted to drugs or alcohol struggle with an adult issue, but their psychological and emotional needs differ from an adult’s. Rehabs that recognize the nuances of teen addiction can help your teen get the most effective treatment. There are numerous treatment programs tailored to help teens and their parents beat teenage drug addiction. These programs can address teen addiction rehab, ongoing recovery, and building a healthier home environment for the whole family.
Understand:
What is Mental Health? What is stigma? How do I get help?
How do I know if my child might be having difficulty due to mental health related barriers?
Parents usually know their children better than anyone else. There are a variety of indicators that might suggest your child is having a hard time. Some possible things to look for include:
Suddenly complaining of illness when it is time to go to school or avoiding school
Sudden changes in school performance
Increase in disciplinary issues at school
Difficulty concentrating at school and at home
Acting out at school or home
Sudden changes in mood or behavior
Complaining often about physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, fatigue ( ***Please note: If your child is physically ill, please seek medical attention. Sometimes these symptoms are indicators of underlying mental health issues and sometimes sick symptoms like stomach ache and headache, especially when accompanied by other symptoms need further evaluation by your child's pediatrician. If you have questions or concerns about your child's sick symptoms, please reach out to your school nurse or primary physician)
Some things that can be contributing factors:
Stressful situations at home such as marital or family problems, substance abuse, changes in living status, or domestic violence
Exposure to traumatic events
Current national or global events
Projection of stress or worry from parents/ caregivers
Family history of mental health issues
Social media
Bullying or social conflict
Change in close relationships
Social Identity
Lack of coping skills
These are just some of the potential warning signs that indicate that your child is struggling. As parents and caregivers, it is important to pay attention and reach out for help when your child begins exhibiting such signs.
I have some concerns, what do I do next?
If you have concerns about your child's mental health, do not wait to act upon these concerns. You should contact your child's teacher, school counselor, school administrator, or mental health coordinator. Our staff members want to work with you and your child to ensure the support that he or she needs to succeed, not only academically, but socially and emotionally. We can talk with you and make referrals to the appropriate services or resources to help.
***If your child is in a crisis situation or threatening to hurt themself or others, call 911 right away***
Our mission is to develop parent-training programs for parents raising difficult or out-of-control children. We are committed to providing highly effective programs that are affordable for every parent.
Take a minute to learn about your mental health and find ways to help yourself and others navigate through life's daily challenges. Get tips and insight on improving your own mental health and share what you have learned with those around you.
