Marathon County School-Based Counseling Consortium (MCS-BCC) – Marathon County
In 2015, one in five Marathon County high school students reported that they were depressed in the past year, and nearly one-third reported having three or more poor mental health days in the previous month according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Given that students spend the majority of their childhood either at school or with their family, the Marathon County School-Based Counseling Consortium (MCS-BCC) was formed specifically to address youth mental health by expanding access to school-based mental health therapy services in Marathon County school public districts.
Impact
Barriers that students and families often face in receiving mental health care – such as access to transportation, students missing class time, and parents missing work – was at the core of MCS-BCC’s mission to forge partnerships between mental health clinics and regional school districts and build on-site mental health therapy systems.
The coalition also provided mental health education opportunities to parents and school staff, broadening their approach to improving student mental health. By March of 2018, every public school in Marathon County had access to therapy services from local mental health clinics as part of MCS-BCC’s work.
School-based Therapy
Coordinated by local schools and mental health clinics to provide on-site mental health therapy services to students and their families in Marathon County public schools.
Education on Youth Mental Health
Worked with community partners and mental health clinics to hold over 120 educational opportunities, trainings, and certifications for parents and school staff to increase knowledge and awareness of youth mental health needs.
Data
Used the YRBS survey data to develop solutions to youth mental health concerns. As a result, this influenced decision-making and policy change in Marathon County public school districts.
Coalition Members
School Districts
- Abbotsford School District
- School District of Athens
- Colby School District
- D.C. Everest School District
- Marathon School District
- Mosinee School District
- Rosholt School District
- Spencer School District
- Stratford School District
- Wausau School District
Mental Health Clinics
- The Achieve Center
- Bridge Community Health Clinic
- The Caring Tree
- The Center for Human Development
- The Centre for Well Being
- Charis Counseling
- Compass Counseling
- Children’s Wisconsin
- Elmergreen Associates
- Empower Mental Health Clinic
- North Central Health Care
- Peaceful Solutions Counseling
- True North Counseling & Wellness