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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Mohonasen Central School District has become a model for the state on how to address mental health needs of students. Earlier this year, New York state set aside $20 million to create more school-based mental health clinics. Mohonasen school administrators plan to apply for some more of that state funding to expand their services.
Senior Noah Sausville is like most teenagers, never without his constant companion, his cellphone.
“A lot of people don’t really understand a lot of things, especially because we are so different because of the COVID thing. We had a detrimental time, and it ruined a lot of things for us,” said Sausville.
But unlike most teens, Noah is an open book, willing to discuss his vulnerabilities. “When we had those times by ourselves, it let in a lot of dark times,” he explained. “When you don’t have people to talk to as much, it brings on more and more things.”
Four years ago, as he was entering high school, life was not easy for Sausville or his classmates. “My friend passing away, COVID, being away from everybody I like,” he said.
“Just connecting kids back to humanity really has been a huge role,” explained Mackenzie Costigan, the school-based clinician at the school.
Costigan has been the on-campus mental health clinician at Mohonasen for the last three years. The collaboration with Northern Rivers provides immediate access to trained professionals.
“The need was extremely high,” she said.
Her case load has doubled in the time she’s been in the district with a waiting list that has been growing. “I have kids that have parents who say they don’t have transportation. Being able to pull them from school and be able to meet with them during the school day, it’s critical,” she added.
Deborah Kavanaugh, a school administrator who oversees mental health services, added, “Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in suicidal ER visits for youth, especially in Schenectady County.
That’s why the district is now looking to expand their model to the elementary school with the help of additional state funding.
“Even Governor Hochul has made that a part of her budget to allow for additional support,” she explained.
According to Kavanaugh, the district’s approach to mental health has paid off with positive results.
“Taking all the thoughts I had, instead of doing negative things with it, I started writing. Getting those thoughts out of my head, and like, writing them using creativity… writing them really helped,” Sausville explained.
Coping mechanisms he’s learned thanks to the mental health supports provided through the district.
“It was validating to hear all of the things in place have been helpful to our students,” said Kavanaugh.
Mohonasen is in the process of applying for more state funding, and they hope to roll out services through an additional satellite clinic at the elementary school by next year.
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