MCSD School Based Mental Health

We Are Wellness

Community Resources

There a wide range of community resources available to Murray families. If you need help with something not listed, please contact us.

More information is always coming!

The United Way’s 211 resource is always a valuable tool to get connected with local community support.

Diagnosing ADHD involves a thorough assessment by professionals using criteria from the DSM-5. After diagnosis, it's important for parents and schools to collaborate. Open communication helps share insights, and creating individualized plans, like IEPs or 504 plans, tailors support to the child's needs. Adjusting strategies based on feedback ensures a supportive and inclusive educational environment, optimizing the child's experience at school.

There are a variety of resources available to support parents, teachers, and students navigate this diagnosis and find the right supports for each student. Here are a few websites that might be helpful for parents:

Utah Resources:

  • Utah Chapter of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD): CHADD is a national organization dedicated to providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD and their families. Check their website for local chapters or resources in Utah.
  • University of Utah - ADHD Program: Resources and information on ADHD.
  • Utah Parent Center: The Utah Parent Center offers support, training, and resources for parents of children with disabilities, including ADHD. Visit their website or contact them for more information.
  • Psychologists and Psychiatrists: Mental health professionals specializing in ADHD diagnosis and treatment may offer services in Utah. Consider seeking referrals from healthcare providers or contacting local psychologists and psychiatrists for assistance.

Boys and Girls Club - Miller Family Club

Athletics

School-Based After School Programming

  • Currently Horizon Elementary and Hillcrest Junior High are the two schools hosting after school programming in the 2023-2024 school year.

Care About Childcare Utah - Care About Childcare Utah provides families looking for childcare with profiles of childcare providers located throughout Utah.

Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involves a detailed assessment by professionals using criteria from the DSM-5. After diagnosis, it's important for parents and schools to collaborate. Open communication helps share insights, and creating personalized plans, such as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, tailors support to the child's needs. Adjusting teaching methods and providing a structured learning environment can enhance the child's experience, fostering inclusivity at school.

There are a variety of resources that can support families navigate Autism supports and school-related challenges.

  • Utah Parent Center: The Utah Parent Center offers support, training, and resources for parents of children with disabilities, including autism. Visit their website or contact them for more information.
  • Autism Council of Utah: This organization may provide information, resources, and support for families living with autism in Utah. Check their website or contact them for assistance
  • University of Utah Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic: Academic institutions often have specialized clinics for autism. Check if the University of Utah has a clinic that offers support, diagnosis, and resources for families.
  • Utah Autism Academy: This academy may provide services and support for individuals with autism and their families. Visit their website or contact them for more information.
  • Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is a national organization with local resources. Check their website for Utah-specific resources and support services.
  • Utah Department of Health - Autism Program: Government health departments often have programs and resources for individuals with autism. Check the Utah Department of Health's website for information on autism services.

Resources for Parents

Crisis Support 

  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988
    • Provides compassionate support, provides referrals to anyone in need of mental health or emotional wellbeing services. Whatever age you are, you can call for hlep 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. There is no cost. Interpretors in more than 150 languages are available. This number recognizes the area code of the caller ID and transfers Utah are code numbers to the Utah team. If you are calling from a non-Utah area code, and you want a Utah response, call the local number 801-587-3000. Want to text in Spanish? Text HOLA to 741741.
  • Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT)
    • Offers community-based interventions to individuals regardless of their location: home, work, schools, or community. These services are delivered wherever the crisis is being experienced. A two person MCOT of qualified professionals with specialized training and expertise, respond to whomever has the need and are available 24/7/365. These services are efficient, and are are no cost to the consumer, and can be delievered in person or virtually. To access please call 988.
  • SafeUT
    • The SafeUT Crisis Chat and Tip Line is a statewide service the provide real-time crisis intervention to youth through a live chat and a confidential tip program - right from your smartphone. You can chat with a licensed counselor for support or submit a confidential tip. The original SafeUT app targets studentes, parents, educators, and others.
    • There are also additional SafeUT versions - SafeUT Frontline (First Responders and Frontline Healthcare Workers) and SafeUTNG (available to Utah National Guard members and their families).
  • Utah Warm Line - 833-SPEAKUT (833-773-2588)
    • Talk to someone who's been there before and understands. Sometimes you may need a supporter as you heal and recover from your own personal struggles. If you need to talk with someone, you can call the Utah Warm Line for that support. The Warm Line is free for all callers. When you call the Warm Line, you will speak with a certified peer support specialist, with specialized training.
  • Behavioral Health Services Navigation - 833-442-2211
    • Sponsored by Intermountain Healthcare, make just one call to find help to access behavioral health resources. It is open and free for anyone who needs mental health support. Call 7AM to 7PM, 7 days a week.

Apps for Crisis

  • SafeUT: The SafeUT Crisis Chat and Tip Line is a statewide service the provide real-time crisis intervention to youth through a live chat and a confidential tip program - right from your smartphone.
  • notOK: The notOK app features a big, red button that can be activated to let close friends and family know help is needed. User can add up to 5 trusted contacts as party of their support group, so when they hit the digital panic button, a message along with their current GPS location is sent to their contacts. The message reads "Hey, I'm not OK! Please call, text, or come find me."

Websites

  • Live On Utah: Statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing our culture around suicide and mental health. Together we can get through, reach out, lift up, look ahead, and Live On. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

To learn more about other Utah resources for crisis and suicide prevention:

Utah Data

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for assistance.

  • Utah Domestic Violence Coalition (UDVC): UDVC is a statewide organization dedicated to providing resources, support, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence. They may have local programs or shelters in Salt Lake County. Visit their website or contact them for more information. Free and confidential help and support for victims and survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence is available 24/7. Call 1-800-897-LINK (5465).
  • YWCA Utah: The YWCA often provides domestic violence support services, including emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and support groups. Check their website or contact their Salt Lake County branch for assistance.
  • The Road Home: The Road Home operates emergency shelters and housing programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including those fleeing domestic violence. They may offer support and resources for survivors in Salt Lake County.
  • Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Victim Services Unit: Law enforcement agencies often have victim services units that provide support, information, and referrals for victims of crime, including domestic violence. To speak with a victim advocate call 799-3000 or call the 24 hour hotline at 801-580-7969.
  • University of Utah Victim-Survivor Advocacy Program: Advocacy programs that offer support, information, and resources for victims of domestic violence. Contact the University of Utah's Victim-Survivor Advocacy Program for assistance via the website linked.
  • Utah Legal Services: Utah Legal Services offers legal assistance and advocacy for low-income individuals, including survivors of domestic violence. Contact their Salt Lake County office for information on legal resources and assistance.

  • Utah Food Bank Mobile Pantry: The Utah Food Bank operates mobile pantries that distribute food to communities throughout the state, including Murray. Find a Food Pantry Tool. Find a Mobile Pantry Tool.
  • Murray Children's Pantry: Their mission is to eliminate childhood hunger within the Murray community by building a food pantry to provide direct assistance to our neighbors in need. We strive to create a resource to give all members of our community equal access to nutritious food, regardless of race, religion, national origin, disability, or personal preferences. The pantry is a source of support built by the community, for the community.
  • Apply for Food Stamps here 

The Sharing Place - Utah Based Organization, The Sharing place provides grief support services to youth, teens, and their families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. They provide a safe and caring environment for grieving children, teens, and their families to share their feelings while they heal themselves. Participants develop coping skills through a variety of mediums including art, play, and physical activity.

Caring Connections - The University of Utah, College of Nursing offers a variety of grief support groups throughout the year. Each support group is designed to help you cope with a different kind of loss and grief, including suicide. The groups are eight weeks in length and are facilitated by expert clinicians in the fields of social work, nursing, counseling, and psychology.

Articles:

Websites:

 

  • Utah Homelessness Assistance
  • Murray City Housing Authority: The Murray City Housing Authority may provide information on affordable housing programs, including public housing and housing choice vouchers (Section 8). Contact them for details on eligibility and application processes.
  • Utah Housing Corporation: The Utah Housing Corporation offers various programs to assist individuals and families with affordable housing, down payment assistance, and homebuyer education. Visit their website or contact them for information on available resources.
  • The Road Home: The Road Home operates shelters and housing programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. They may offer assistance in finding temporary and permanent housing solutions. Contact them for more information.
  • Salt Lake County Housing and Community Development: Salt Lake County's Housing and Community Development department may offer housing assistance programs, emergency shelter services, and resources for residents in need. Check their website or contact them for information.
  • Community Development Corporations (CDCs): CDCs in the Salt Lake City area, including Murray, may provide affordable housing options, rental assistance programs, and housing resources for low-income residents. Contact local CDCs for information on available programs.
  • Catholic Community Services of Utah: Catholic Community Services provides various social services, including housing assistance programs. They may offer rental assistance, transitional housing, and other support services. Contact them for details.
  • Utah Community Action: Utah Community Action is a non-profit organization that offers assistance programs, including housing and rental assistance, to low-income individuals and families. Visit their website or contact them for information on available services.

Holy Cross Ministries
860 East 4500 South Suite 204
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Phone: 801-261-3440

English Skills Learning Center
4444 South 700 East Suite 100
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
Phone: 801-328-5608

Catholic Community Services of Utah
745 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
Phone: 801-977-9119

Refugee and Immigrant Center at Asian Association of Utah
1588 S. Major St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: (801) 467-6060

  • Utah Legal Services: Utah Legal Services offers legal assistance and advocacy for low-income individuals. Contact their Salt Lake County office for information on legal resources and assistance.
  • Murray Justice Court: The Murray Justice Court handles various legal matters, including traffic violations, misdemeanors, and small claims cases, within the jurisdiction of Murray. Contact them for information on court procedures and legal resources.
  • Salt Lake County Bar Association: The Salt Lake County Bar Association offers lawyer referral services and legal resources for residents of Salt Lake County. Visit their website or contact them for assistance in finding legal representation.
  • Utah State Bar Association: The Utah State Bar Association provides resources, referrals, and information on finding legal assistance in Utah. Visit their website or contact them for assistance in finding an attorney.
  • Utah Courts Self-Help Center: The Utah Courts Self-Help Center offers resources and information for individuals representing themselves in legal matters, including forms, instructions, and legal guides. Visit their website or contact them for assistance.
  • Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake: The Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake offers legal assistance and representation to low-income individuals and families in Salt Lake County. Contact them for information on available services and eligibility criteria.
  • Murray City Attorney's Office: The Murray City Attorney's Office provides legal advice and representation to the city government of Murray. While they may not offer direct legal assistance to residents, they can provide information on local ordinances and legal resources.

Apply for Medicaid 

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Immunizations

  • Salt Lake County Health Department
  • Some available at the clinics below

Community Health Clinics (Uninsured or Low Income)

  • Health Access Project
    • Serves uninsured and low-income
    • 801-412-3980
    • 140 West 2100 South #208 Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
    • Services: Medical, Case Management, Insurance assistance
  • CHC, Community Health Centers
    • Reduced fees for uninsured
    • Medical visit - $35
    • Dental Visit - $55
    • Multiple locations: https://www.chc-ut.org/locations
    • Services: Medical, Dental, Mental Health
  • Maliheh Free Clinic
    • Free clinic for uninsured and low-income
    • 801-266-3700
    • 941 E 3300 S, Millcreek, UT 84106
    • Services: Medical
  • Fourth Street Clinic
    • Free clinic for homeless
    • 801-364-0058
    • 409 West 400 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
    • Services: Medical, Dental, Mental Health, Immunizations
  • Hope Clinic
    • Free clinic for uninsured and low-income
    • 801-568-6700
    • 65 East 6850 South, Midvale, Utah 84047
    • Services: Medical
  • U of U Health South Main Clinic
    • Reduced fees for uninsured
    • 801-587-2525
    • 3690 South Main St. Salt Lake City, UT 84115
    • Services: Medical, Dental
  • U of U Health Mid-Valley Health Clinic
    • Reduced fees for uninsured
    • 801-417-0131
    • 8446 S. Harrison Midvale, UT - 84047
    • Services: Dermatology, Vision, Allergy
  • Midtown Community Health Center
    • Reduced fees for uninsured
    • (801) 486-0911
    • 2253 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT - 84115
    • Services: Medical, Dental, Mental Health
  • Intermountain North Temple Clinic
    • Reduced fees for uninsured
    • (801) 408-8654
    • 54 North 800 West Salt Lake City, UT - 84116
    • Services: Medical

Mental health is a multifaceted aspect of well-being that encompasses emotional, psychological, and social dimensions. The complexities of mental health can manifest differently in each individual, making it crucial to pay attention to our youth's mental well-being. Addressing mental health issues early can mitigate long-term consequences and improve overall quality of life. Parents and school-based mental health providers play integral roles in supporting youth mental health. By fostering open communication and collaboration, parents can provide valuable insights into their child's emotional state and behavior, while mental health professionals can offer specialized expertise and interventions. Together, they can develop tailored strategies to support the child's mental health needs, whether through counseling, implementing accommodations in the school environment, or connecting to additional resources. This partnership ensures a holistic approach to addressing mental health concerns, promoting positive outcomes and fostering resilience in youth.

Child Mind Institute: Symptom Checker - You indicate the behaviors that are making you concerned about your child by answering a series of questions. The Symptom Checker analyzes your answers to give you a list of psychiatric or learning disorders that are associated with those symptoms. Since individual symptoms can reflect more than one disorder, this tool will give you a range of possibilities and guide you toward next steps. This tool cannot diagnose your child, but it can help you inform yourself about possible diagnoses and will offer information and articles to help you learn about them, to facilitate a conversation with a professional.

Various resources and articles addressing mental health topics:

Crisis

  • SafeUT: The SafeUT Crisis Chat and Tip Line is a statewide service the provide real-time crisis intervention to youth through a live chat and a confidential tip program - right from your smartphone.
  • notOK: The notOK app features a big, red button that can be activated to let close friends and family know help is needed. User can add up to 5 trusted contacts as party of their support group, so when they hit the digital panic button, a message along with their current GPS location is sent to their contacts. The message reads "Hey, I'm not OK! Please call, text, or come find me."

General Mental Health Apps

  • myStrength: This is a free, online tool to help you live your best life. You'll find help for stress, anxiety, chronic pain, and more. It's safe, secure, and personalized - just for you. Track your health, enjoy activities, and become inspired.
  • Moodfit: Offers tools and insight that are meant to "shape up" your mood. Similar to the way you might decide to get into physical shape, this app is meant to help you get into mental shape.
  • Calm: The Calm app helps users sleep better, boost confidence and reduce stress and anxiety, all with the help of guided meditations, soothing music, and bedtime stories.
  • Headspace: Your guide to mindfulness in your everyday life. Learn meditation and mindfulness skills and choose from hundreds of guided meditations on everything from managing stress and anxiety to sleep, focus, and mind-body health.
  • What's Up: What's Up uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) methods to help you cope with depression, anxiety, and stress.
  • The Hopeful: This app is from the suicide prevention organization To Write Love On Her Arms. It provides a daily mood check in and journal, along with various blogs related to Mental Health and other topics.
  • TeenToks: TeenToks provides various meditations and short videos for teens related to mental health, body image, confidence, communication, friendships, sleep, school, and more.
  • Live On Utah: Statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing our culture around suicide and mental health. Together we can get through, reach out, lift up, look ahead, and Live On. Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Anxiety

  • MindShift CBT: Rather than trying to avoid anxious feelings, MindShift stresses the importance of changing how you think about anxiety.
  • Breathe2Relax: Breathe2Relax is a portable stress management tool which provides details information on the effects of stress on the body and instructions and practice exercises to help users learn the stress management skill called diaphragmatic breathing. The app now uses your Apple Watch device to measure your heart rate throughout your breathing exercise to help provide an even more complete picture of the relaxation experience.

Things to consider when looking for a therapist:

  1. Do you plan to use insurance or pay out-of-pocket?
  2. If using insurance, determine how many sessions your plan will cover.
  3. Find out if your child would prefer a male or female therapist.
  4. Expect you may need to try a few therapists in order to find a good fit.
  5. Where is the therapist located and ease of scheduling appointments.

How do I find a therapist?:

  1. Ask for a recommendation from a friend, talk to your pediatrician, or see what resources your School Based Mental Health provider has. (At each of MCSD's schools we do have a School Based Therapist partnership.)
  2. Consult your insurance provider director.
  3. Find a therapist using the website Psychology Today.
  4. Find a therapist or mental health services using the United Way 2-1-1 website.

Resources at NO COST to families:

  • School Based Mental Health (MCSD School Social Workers and School Psychologists)
  • Youth Services - Prevention Groups, Juvenile Receiving Center, Homeless Youth and Substance Abuse: 385-468-4500
  • Stabilization and Mobile Response 833-723-3326
  • Crisis Line and Mobile Outreach 801-587-3000
  • Assessment, Referral, and Consultation Services (ARCS) 801-313-7711
  • Behavioral health Services Navigation Line 833-442-2211
  • Salt Lake Behavioral Health / free assessments 801-396-0337

Parenting is an incredibly rewarding but undeniably challenging journey. Navigating the complexities of raising children, from managing day-to-day responsibilities to addressing emotional and behavioral issues, can be overwhelming. It's essential for parents to recognize that they don't have to face these challenges alone. Numerous resources exist to provide support, guidance, and encouragement. Acknowledging the difficulties of parenting and actively seeking out available resources can empower parents to build a strong support network and ensure the well-being of both themselves and their children.

There are a number of resources available to help you on this journey.

  • Healthy Relationships Utah (Utah State University) - Offers several free courses including Home Run Parents, Parenting the Love & Logic Way, Fatherhood Education, and Positive Discipline. In addition to these courses, there several others to support healthy parenting and step-parenting.
  • Parent Guidance.Org - Offers free, on demand courses on a variety of topics. Q&As with therapists are also available.
  • Utah Parent Center - The Utah Parent Center offers support, training, and resources for parents of children with disabilities. Visit their website or contact them for more information.
  • Family Support Centers of Utah - The mission of the FSCU is to strengthen Utah families one community at a time by supporting parents, protecting children, and preserving families. To accomplish this mission, each Family Support Center provides its clients with a 24-hour crisis & respite nursery, a 24-hour information and referral service, and a parenting and youth education program. Based on the needs of the particular community it serves, each agency likewise offers additional services, ranging from on-site therapists, lending libraries, and in-home parenting support.
  • Utah Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) - The Utah WIC program provides services and supplemental foods to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children up to their 5th birthday. They offer one-on-one nutrition counseling as well as offer a wide-array of nutrition education, personalized breastfeeding support, referrals to other public health programs and health care providers.
  • Preventing Child Abuse
  • Utah PTA: Parent and Family Resources

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Special education services are tailored educational programs and support systems designed to meet the unique learning needs of students with disabilities. Special education services typically include individualized instruction, accommodations, and modifications to the curriculum to help students access learning materials and achieve academic success. Additionally, special education may involve related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and assistive technology. The goal of special education is to provide students with the tools, support, and resources they need to reach their full potential and participate in educational opportunities alongside their peers.

Each school has their own Special Education teacher(s) and team. Contact your school's Principal with questions or to get in touch with the Special Education team.

Contact MCSD's Special Education Department with any questions you may have.

Additional Resources:

  • Utah Parent Center: The Utah Parent Center offers support, training, and resources for parents of children with disabilities. Visit their website or contact them for more information.

Substance use, and particularly during youth and adolescents, is very impactful to the developing brain. Check out these resources to help support your student. (More coming)

Vaping Prevention Resources:

Navigating the digital world is challenging for everyone, and especially for our youth. Here are a variety of resources that may support you and your family on the journey!

Murray City School District wants to support your child in reaching all of their developmental milestones. HB 331, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, requires a student to be toilet trained before enrolling in kindergarten. As part of our support to your family, our social workers will provide resources to your family to help you at home to get them toilet trained. We will ensure that your child will be reintegrated seamlessly when they do become toilet trained. There are many approaches that people take during the toilet training / potty learning process. Use the one that feels right for you and your family.

Toilet Training Tips

  1. Look for Signs of Readiness: Showing interest in the toilet, staying dry for longer periods, understanding basic instructions.
  2. Create a Routine: Establish a regular routine, including times for sitting on the potty, such as after meals or before bedtime.
  3. Make it Fun: Some families chose to use positive reinforcement such as stickers, other families may sign songs while on the potty.
  4. Use Child-Friendly Language: Use simple and clear language to explain the process. Avoid pressure and negativity, instead focus on encouragement and support
  5. Lead by Example: Let your child observe you using the toilet to understand what to do. This helps to normalize the process.
  6. Provide Comfort:Use a child-sized potty or a toilet seat insert to make sitting on the toilet more comfortable and secure for your child.
  7. Be Patient: Understand that accidents will happen and setbacks are normal. Stay calm, offer reassurance, and avoid showing frustration or disappointment.
  8. Practice Consistency: Stick to a consistent routine and approach to toilet training.
    Consistency helps reinforce learning and build confidence.
  9. Offer Encouragement: Praise your child for every effort, even if they don't succeed every time.
    Encouragement and positive reinforcement go a long way in motivating vour child.
  10. Stay Supportive:Be supportive and understanding throughout the process. Let your child know that it's okay to make mistakes and that you're there to help them learn.

Resources

BOOKS

Children's Books:

WEBSITES AND ONLINE RESOURCES

MOBILE APPS

  • Potty Time with Elmo: An interactive app featuring Sesame Street characters that helps children learn about potty training
  • Pull-Ups Big Kid App: Provides tools and resources for parents, including a customizable potty training plan and tracking tools.

PARENTING BLOGS AND FORUMS

  • The Child Whisperer: This blog offers advice, tips, and personal experiences shared by parents going through the potty training journey.
  • WhatToExpect.com Community: Offers forums where parents can ask questions, share experiences, and seek support from other parents.

PEDIATRICIAN

Parents may encounter challenges or have questions about their child's readiness for toilet training. In such cases, consulting with a pediatrician can provided personalized guidance and support.

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In Murray, Utah, and many other areas, there are often programs and providers that offer low-cost utilities and internet services to eligible individuals and families. Here are some resources you can explore:

  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): LIHEAP helps low-income households with their home energy bills, including heating, cooling, and weatherization assistance. Contact your local Community Action Program or visit the Utah Department of Workforce Services website for more information on LIHEAP in Murray.
  • Rocky Mountain Power's Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEE): Rocky Mountain Power offers energy efficiency services and financial assistance to eligible low-income customers to help them reduce their energy bills. Visit Rocky Mountain Power's website or contact them for details on available programs in Murray.
  • CenturyLink Internet Basics: CenturyLink offers the Internet Basics program, providing low-cost internet service to eligible low-income households. Visit the CenturyLink website or contact them for information on availability and eligibility in Murray.
  • Comcast Internet Essentials: Comcast offers the Internet Essentials program, providing low-cost internet service to eligible low-income families. Visit the Comcast website or contact them for information on availability and eligibility in Murray.
  • Utah Lifeline Program: Lifeline is a federal program that provides a discount on monthly telephone or internet service for eligible low-income households. Contact your telephone or internet service provider for information on Lifeline availability and eligibility in Murray.

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