Non-Profit Helps Schools Support the Mental Health Needs of Kids

Distinguished School of Mental Health & Wellness (DSMHW), was founded by the husband and wife team of Dr. Lena Pearlman (therapist) and Dr. Bryan Pearlman (educator) with the help of a dozen friends and colleagues from the education, medical, and mental health fields. This interdisciplinary team is committed to ensuring that all students can be successful in school by assisting schools in implementing best practices in mental health & wellness.

Dr. Lena Pearlman believes the strength of the organization is the leadership team, “We have been thinking about creating a non-profit to help schools for years. We felt as though this was the right time to do it. We were so pleased with the response from our friends and colleagues. They were all eager to support the cause and to get involved. We are so fortunate to have a superstar team of leaders that are doctors, psychiatrists, therapists, professors, school administrators, and teachers. Each one of them brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table to help the schools that we serve.”

Dr. Bryan Pearlman believes that schools need more help and support to address the mental health needs of students, “The number of students coming to school with mental health related concerns has grown at an alarming pace. Many students are highly stressed, anxious, and depressed. Additionally, schools are dealing with traumatized students, students with self-harming behaviors, and students who are having suicidal thoughts. Many teachers and school staff members do not have adequate mental health training and schools are not equipped to deal with these challenges. Mental health needs have to be a priority to ensure that students are safe, happy, healthy, and successful in school.”

The organization has created a 12-month process that includes: intensive training, involvement of the community, collaboration, multiple site visits, and progress monitoring. This process ensures that schools meet the highest standards required to support students. Those schools that successfully complete the program will be certified as a Distinguished School of Mental Health & Wellness and will be Nationally-Recognized.

The initial deadline for schools to apply to be a part of the program is September 22, 2018. To date, the organization has received 100 inquiries from schools around the country.

For more information about DSMHW, please visit www.DSMHW.org or call 314-455-4347.