WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Now that school is back in session, students in Palm Beach County will notice a lot of new faces with hundreds of new hires, all with one goal in mind; to make their mental health and wellness a top priority.
Over the summer, teachers and staff underwent extensive training when it comes to how to spot a student in trouble and, if so, what they can do to help.
“The staff, the custodians, the school cafeteria people, the bus drivers; they know the students, they see them every day. So they are really on the forefront to see any kind of behavioral changes in a student,” said Mary Claire Mucenic, the Director of Behavioral and Mental Health Services.
Mucenic’s position was created this year. She’ll lead a brand-new department, one that includes 170 behavioral health professionals.