Berea Independent Schools continues to lead the way in promoting mental wellness and community connection. On Monday, October 13, the district hosted a Compassion Resilience Day focused on staff self-care, wellness, and camaraderie as part of their district-wide professional development.
The event (organized by the Berea Community Mental Health ACCESS Team and Superintendent Dr. Ryan Neaves) offered staff a day dedicated to relaxation and renewal. Activities included yoga, nature walks, gaming, massages, facials, and other self-care opportunities supported by local community partners. A chili cookout competition added a fun and friendly touch to the day, building connections among staff while celebrating the importance of mental health.
Earlier in the school year, Berea also kicked off the year with a Back-to-School Celebration featuring the ACCESS team’s “Be Gentle to Your Mental” booth. Every student visited the booth to receive a developmentally appropriate mental wellness kit designed specifically for their grade level. Each kit included meaningful items and resources for students, parents, and caregivers, promoting awareness and well-being both at school and at home.
These efforts are guided by Berea Community’s mission to increase access to high-quality, school-based mental health services for all students. The district’s Mental Health ACCESS Team is working toward two key goals:
Goal 1: Create and implement a system for identifying and providing unduplicated mental health services through collaboration between school-based and community-based providers, ensuring progress is monitored with fidelity.
Goal 2: Promote and educate Berea Community staff and stakeholders about mental health services and positive behavior supports through community collaboration and ongoing communication.
Through intentional initiatives like Compassion Resilience Day and the “Be Gentle to Your Mental” campaign, Berea Independent is demonstrating true innovation and leadership in its proactive approach to mental wellness. The district’s commitment to supporting the well-being of students, staff, and families serves as an inspiring model for schools across the Commonwealth.
We extend a heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated members of the Mental Health ACCESS Team, whose vision and collaboration make these initiatives possible. Led by Jennifer Whitt, the team includes Mary Lewis, Tim Molton, Mandy Grant, Stefanie Binion, Jill Kinnaird, Craig Dollins, Eef Fontanez, Kyle French, Sara Torgerson, Tonya Combs, Natasha Johnson, Marilyn Benton, and Kayla Harman, and Katie Phillips. Their commitment to supporting mental health and wellness throughout the Berea community continues to make a lasting difference for students and staff alike.
All activities carried out through this initiative have been funded by a federal mental health grant awarded to Berea Independent Schools through its partnership with the Southeast South-Central Educational Cooperative (SESC).
