Brookfield Schools Partner With WestConn to Identify Troubled Behavior in Students

Western Connecticut State University announced Friday in a press release that they are partnering with the Brookfield School District to educate school staff on how to identify students who might need emotional or mental health support “while there is still time to help them.”

WCSU Professor of Education & Educational Psychology Dr. Gabriel Lomas is heading up the training program for middle and high school staff to provide “more awareness on troubling behavior so that some stabilization can be put in place.” If it proves effective, Lomas said, the program could be offered to districts throughout the region.

The Brookfield program is supported with a $1,000 “Typical or Troubled” grant from the American Psychiatric Foundation. The money will pay for books and similar educational information and resources for teachers and staff.

After the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012, the state Legislature passed laws regarding physical safety of schools and evaluation of emotional, mental and behavioral health issues among students.

“Most teachers have such a jammed curriculum that they’re often not exposed to information and literature that can help them identify behavior that needs to be addressed,” Lomas said. “We’re making inroads to destigmatize mental illness and create early intervention.”

Middle and high school staff will attend the 90-minute training sessions.

“We’re creating more awareness in the classroom, which will help teachers to identify troubling behavior and methods to stabilize the situation,” Lomas said.

For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.