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Building Skills Related to Managing Emotions, Establishing and Maintaining Positive Relationships, and Responsible Decision-Making

Pursuant to TEC §38.351 Section (b) and Sub-section (c-2) each school district may select programs related to this area of mental health promotion and intervention, substance abuse prevention and intervention, and suicide prevention for appropriate implementation in the district. Resources related to this component of school mental health help students develop the skills necessary to support student academic success. Skill-building helps students strengthen their ability to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve goals, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

To view resources on this component of school mental health you can visit the new Texas School Mental Health Website for the Mental and Behavioral Health Recommended Evidence-Based Programs and Research-Based Practices Repository.  This repository is updated as resources are reviewed and approved.

Mental Health Best Practices and Programs List Competencies

The competencies outlined within this document serve as a foundational guide for selecting best-practices and research-based programs that meet the requirements of TEC §38.351, TEC §38.036, TEC §21.451, and TEC §21.4515. School systems may use these competencies when evaluating programs or practices not currently on the list established by TEC §38.351, ensuring that locally selected approaches are aligned with statutory requirements. By addressing multiple areas of school mental health, these competencies support a comprehensive and integrated implementation strategy.

The list of best-practice-based programs and research-based practices are not exhaustive, and approaches for fulfilling the competencies are not limited to the examples provided below. The competencies and examples below may be considered when establishing local training and implementation procedures based upon the recommendations of the SBEC Clearinghouse.    

Competency Examples of Fulfilling Competency
Addresses student skills for managing emotions.
  • Promoting the ability to cope with stress and anxiety.
  • Building capabilities to identify and communicate emotions in a healthy way.
  • Encouraging strategies to seek support when needed.
Addresses student skills for establishing and maintaining positive relationships.
  • Developing the ability to be dependable to others.
  • Promoting skills to empathize with others.
  • Supporting strategies for peaceful conflict resolution.
Addresses student skills for positive decision-making.
  • Strengthening problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
  • Promoting protective factors that reduce risky behavior.
  • Utilizing strategies to build students’ ability to set and achieve goals.

 

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Mental and Behavioral Health Team
Contact Information: Dr. LaTrenda Watson, Director of Mental and Behavi
Contact Information

Dr. LaTrenda Watson, Director of Mental and Behavioral Health

Tammy Gendke, Mental Health Program Coordinator

Ashton Millet, Project A.W.A.R.E State Coordinator

MentalandBehavioralHealth@tea.texas.gov