Ohio County Schools Counselors Discuss Mental Health Matters with Senator Weld

West Virginia Senate Majority Leader Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, met Friday with Ohio County Schools counselors to discuss the mental health needs of the school system’s students.

The meeting was held at Madison Elementary School with counselors and administrators from the host school, Wheeling Park High School, Triadelphia Middle School, Elm Grove Elementary School and Middle Creek Elementary School.

The counselors stressed to Weld the serious mental health needs of the students in the schools. The discussion involved potential funding sources for mental health needs in Ohio County and throughout the state. The counselors also addressed the need for training, curriculum and staffing.

Madison Elementary School Counselor Jessica Watt Dougherty said counselors will need help beyond the schools in addressing the issues.

“It will take community, collaboration and readiness,” she said. “Support from the community is important and readiness in the schools is huge. Everyone has to buy into it for it to be successful for our students.”

Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kimberly Miller met recently with Weld to discuss the mental health needs of the students. She thanked him for meeting Friday with the counselors to learn of their thoughts on the situation.

“I am thankful that Senator Weld is taking the time and great interest in our need for assistance with mental health,” she said. “Local support is needed to make a true impact on student growth.”

Weld said he would address the issue with state officials and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services.

“I think my role is to bring everyone together,” he said.

Middle Creek counselor Pam Fazzini put the situation in its simplest terms.

“If we can’t meet our students’ mental health needs, they will not be able to succeed academically,” she said.