New Mental Health Support Initiative for Bryan Students

News Summary

Bryan, Texas, is initiating a new mental health support initiative through a partnership between Bryan ISD and Texas A&M Health Science Center. Approved on February 17, 2025, the program aims to offer online consultations and assessments for students facing mental health challenges. The collaborative effort involves educators identifying at-risk students and providing necessary support. In addition to mental health advancements, College Station ISD is expanding its career and technical education center. These developments underline ongoing community efforts to enhance educational and mental health resources for local students.

Exciting Developments for Students in Bryan!

Bryan, Texas, is buzzing with some fantastic news for local students. Recently, a significant agreement was made between Bryan Independent School District (ISD) and the Texas A&M Health Science Center (HSC) aimed at supporting those students who are struggling with mental health challenges. This collaboration was officially approved during the Bryan ISD school board meeting on February 17, 2025.

Helping Students Thrive

Under this partnership, teachers, counselors, nurses, and administrators will play a crucial role in identifying students who may be experiencing high-risk mental health issues. With parental permission, selected students will have the opportunity to receive online consultations from skilled staff members and doctoral students at HSC. This initiative is highly focused on assessing the mental health of students and helping to stabilize any issues they may be facing.

The services provided will include various options such as case consultations, comprehensive risk assessments, psychoeducation to enhance understanding of mental health, and even psychopharmacological interventions for those who may need medication. If students require continued care after their initial assessments, they will be referred to other facilities, ensuring they get the help they need to thrive.

The Bigger Picture

This five-year partnership is a direct response to state legislation passed six years ago, emphasizing the increasing importance of mental health support for students. The hope is to foster a healthier, more supportive environment for young minds in Bryan, allowing them to focus on their education without being overwhelmed by mental health struggles.

Meanwhile, not far from this exciting development, the College Station ISD is also making strides in the world of education with the expansion of their career and technical education (CTE) center. This new phase is set to focus on programs including ag mechanics, auto tech, construction, cosmetology, and welding, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience.

The school board has awarded a contract valued at $2.3 million for the construction of a pre-engineered metal building that will host these programs, as well as a multipurpose arena and office spaces. Construction is slated to begin in the summer of 2025 and is expected to take between 12 to 15 months to complete, depending on the weather.

Building for Future Success

The creation of the CTE center is part of a voter-approved bond package from November 2023, further emphasizing the community’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities. In the coming months, a final guaranteed maximum price for the construction project will be discussed, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.

In other news, a Bryan man named Marcus McKever has recently been sentenced to eight years in prison for evading arrest, marking his third prison sentence for this infraction. McKever’s plea agreement was reached on February 13, 2025, following a recent arrest in May 2023, where he ran from police following a disturbance near Scurry Park.

Celebrating Student Success

On a more upbeat note, Bryan ISD students have been showcasing their talents at the Brazos Valley Regional History Fair, where an impressive 89 students from grades 5-12 participated, with 31 winning awards and 24 advancing to the state competition scheduled for April. Additionally, two art students from Bryan ISD, Toni Casarez and Daisy Castaneda, have been selected to represent their school at the Texas Art Education Association’s YAM Spring Exhibition at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in March.

Students and community members alike can feel proud of the strides being made in education, mental health support, and creative excellence in Bryan. The ongoing initiatives not only emphasize the importance of mental well-being but also highlight a vibrant future filled with opportunities for local youth. Awareness and advocacy from groups like Vikings Kicking Out Tobacco (VKOT) are adding to the community dialogue, further empowering students to voice their needs and concerns.

Bryan is on the move – and it’s inspiring to see how the community is coming together to support students and foster a brighter future!

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Additional Resources

• Bryan ISD Mental Health Agreement
• Google Search: Mental Health Services in Schools
• Bryan ISD Advocacy at Texas Capitol
• Google Scholar: Tobacco Alcohol Regulations
• Bryan ISD Art Exhibition
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Art Exhibition Education
• Bryan ISD AED Machines Grant
• Google News: AED Machines Schools
• Bryan ISD Board Policies Review
• Wikipedia: School Board Policy