Dozens of Schools Recognized for Work on Mental Health Services and Prevention

A total of 78 schools, including three charter schools and 16 traditional public-school districts, received recognition for their efforts to prevent mental health problems like suicide, vaping and more.

The Montgomery County Educational Service Center and the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services joined together for the Schools of Excellence in Prevention program, which provides a framework for schools who want to prevent mental health problems.

The schools received bronze, silver, gold or platinum honors. Some districts have been working on this program for a long time, while others were in their first year. Districts who received platinum status at all of the schools in their district included Brookville, Oakwood City, New Lebanon and Mad River Local.

Shannon Cox, the Montgomery County Educational Service Center superintendent, noted prevention can be difficult to measure, which makes it harder to get grants. But she said these types of programs are also key to getting kids to have a safe environment for mental health.

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