Bullying Prevention

According to stopbullying.gov, “bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.”

Pocahontas County Schools participates in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. For most schools in our district, 2024/25 is the first year of full participation. For information about the program, visit the Olweus Website.

• StopBullying.gov (Developed by the U.S. Health and Human Services, Education Department, Centers for Disease Control, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

  • What is Bullying

  • Warning Signs that a Child is Being Bullied

  • Bullying and Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, or Transgender Youth

  • Bullying and Youth with Disabilities and Special Needs

  • Respond to Bullying

• Bullying Awareness & Prevention (Psychology.org)

• Cyberbullying Resources

• Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Anti-Bullying Resources

 Bullying Resources for Parents

• StopBullying.gov

• How to Talk About Bullying

• What to Do if Your Child is Being Bullied (PDF)

• How to Talk with Your Child’s Educators (PDF)

• Bullying and Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, or Bisexual (LGBT) Youth

• Prevent Cyberbullying

• Technology and Youth: Protecting your Child from Electronic Aggression (PDF)

• For bullying and harassment using social media parents can follow the social media site’s “Help” link to report abuse or policy violations such as imposter accounts, bullying, hate speech, pornography, etc.

• Bullying Prevention (National Association of School Psychologists)

• Bullying of Children with Special Needs

Bullying Resources for Students

• StopBullying.gov

• What Should I Do If I’m Bullied? (PDF)

• What You Can Do

• Support the Kids Involved

• What Can Students and Youth Do to “Lend a Hand?” (PDF)

Mental Health Services

School mental health services are essential to creating and sustaining safe schools. Seventy-five percent of students struggling with mental illness do not receive mental health services and mental health is a key component in students’ healthy development and academic achievement. Increased access to mental health services and supports in schools is vital to improving the physical and psychological safety of our students and schools, as well as academic performance and problem-solving skills. Increasingly, school systems are joining forces with community health, mental health, and social service agencies to promote student well-being and to prevent and treat mental health disorders. Through these collaborations, schools and local agencies are working together to address the growing health, behavioral, and mental health needs of students.

Pocahontas County Schools is proud to partner with Youth Health Services to provide extended mental health services to our students. YHS therapists and social workers work collaborative with school personnel in many schools throughout its service region including Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Pocahontas and Upshur Counties., Five schools are identified as full service expanded school mental health partners. They are Davis Thomas Elementary/Middle School, Tucker Valley Elementary/Middle School, Tucker County High School, Green Bank Elementary/Middle School, and Pocahontas County High School.

The program reduces barriers to learning, improves academic performance, improves attendance, and improves school functioning/behavior by mixing YHS’ behavior health services with student services typically provided in schools.  Further, is increases access to high quality, child and adolescent mental health services for youth in our service region.  Some of these services include individual and group therapies, supportive counseling, medication management, classroom support groups and prevention services which would otherwise be difficult to receive due to the rural area we reside.

It you would like further information on this program or would like to make a referral for services, please contact Youth Health Services @ 304-636-9450.