BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) – The West Virginia Department of Education is now partnering with the Cook Center for Human Connection to provide kids with mental well-being resources. Officials with the Department of Education told WDTV that a lot of time has gone into figuring out how to address students’ mental health.

“One of the issues that we looked at when we wanted to address this was attendance students who are truant and have problems with attendance, and they have often said they have anxiety about school, and parents will say, my child says they anxious about school,” said Melanie Purkey, Assistant Superintendent for Federal Programs at the West Virginia Department of Education.

The program is now available across all schools in the state, and parents and kids will be provided with resources to help them navigate life’s challenges.

“They provide a coach who gives them expertise and cognitive behavioral therapy tips. How to work with your child to overcome some of those problems like anxiety,” said Purkey.

The program is also unique because it will be available during the summer months when kids are away from school. Officials believe it takes a team effort to take care of youth.

“The school has them 8 hours a day. They’re at home the other two-thirds of the day, and we felt like parents are our partners in working through these issues, and this is a tool we can give to parents free of charge that helps them.”

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