By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Students needing mental health support services in Marion County will soon be served through a psychosocial program of Prairie View Mental Health.

RESPECT Group, funded by a $5,000 grant from the Schowalter Foundation, will serve students who are not Prairie View clients but have been identified by school counselors and teachers as being in need of psychosocial rehabilitation. In addition to Marion County students, the program will serve Harvey County students as well.

“The urgent plea from the school counselors and teachers is that other students, not Prairie View clients, need intervention, but they have no opportunity for much-needed group activity and mental health services,” said Eric Schrag, director of advancement at Prairie View. “Prairie View recognizes this need and is ready to pilot a program for students outside of the Prairie View organization at two district sites. Intervention at an early age is cost effective plus a moral obligation — particularly for a faith-based organization.”

RESPECT Group will meet over 18 weeks. Students identified by schools as needing psychosocial intervention will meet with Prairie View team members to learn necessary skills to manage conflict, stress, peer-related difficulties, anxieties, and mood-related problems at both school and home.

It is hoped that by expanding healthy interventions, serious behavioral consequences resulting in suspensions or negative attitudes toward school will be improved along with students’ overall mental health.

Prairie View already provides after-school rehabilitation groups to children who are Prairie View clients.

The Schowalter Foundation is a supporting organization of Mennonite Foundation, an affiliate of Everence, the stewardship agency of Mennonite Church USA.