Manassas City Schools Offer New Student Mental Health Resources

MANASSAS, VA — Manassas City Public School students will have a series of new digital resources to help them manage their mental health when the school year starts on Thursday, Aug. 12. The school system now offers a collection of texts from Gale, including Cameron's Collection and Cameron's Camp for Wellness.

The collected e-books are part of the school district's social emotional learning awareness program. The program is a way for the schools to support student well-being and help kids understand their mental health.

The new series of e-books from Gale function as a starting point for many conversations about a student's mental health. The books can help students find ways to modify behavior or engage in a dialogue to receive the support they need to manage their mental health and wellness.

"They also are a supportive tool that educators and parents can leverage to help students who are struggling," Gale wrote in a news release. "The collections add to social emotional learning programs the district has previously implemented and support its mission to provide a safe and innovative learning environment that inspires, engages and challenges all students."

Manassas City students will be able to access the new e-books remotely using the school system's website. Staff members can also use the materials to help guide students and their families through difficult times.

Eric Brent is the Executive Director of Student Services of Manassas City Public Schools. "We’re meeting the needs of our students by letting them know they are not alone," Brent said. "Cameron’s Collection and Cameron’s Camp for Wellness help us reach our students and faculty in an innovative way that is private and easy-to-use to help them seek the information they need to support their mental well-being."

The collections were created in honor of Cameron Gallagher. Gale described her as a bright and talented young girl battling depression and anxiety whose dream was to raise awareness and prevent the unnecessary suffering from stigma."

Gallagher died at the age of 16 of an undiagnosed heart condition. Gale created the collections in collaboration with the CKG Foundation to help schools better support their students' mental health.

Brent hopes the digital nature of the resources will make it easy for students to get help and find resources. "It’s our hope that students will be comfortable using these materials when they may not know where else to turn for support."