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Mental Health

Dakota County Crisis Response call 952-891-7171; National Crisis Text Line text SCHOOL to 741741; Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Please refer to the resources on this page for assistance in dealing with mental health needs. You are encouraged to reach out to your school counselor, social worker, nurse or psychologist for additional support if needed. 

Worried about your mental health:

  • Dakota County Crisis Response: Call 952-891-7171
  • National Crisis Text Line: Text SCHOOL to 741741
  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 

Find additional mental health resources to meet your needs

School social workers

The goal of the social work program is to partner directly with families, educators, students, and our communities to address and overcome barriers to academic achievement at the elementary level. Ultimately this partnership provides the necessary support and guidance that are essential to academic success and sound life decisions.

School social workers are licensed mental health professionals trained to provide support and interventions to children and families proactively and in times of emotional/mental health crisis.

They do this by providing individual, small group and family support. Sessions focus on:

  • Improving social, emotional and academic functioning
  • Positive reinforcement
  • Behavior modification
  • Specific skill development
  • Building trusting connections with each student and their family
  • Direct consultation and linkage to appropriate community resources for families
  • Help children and their families meet basic needs and overcome barriers to education

Please note that social work settings are created around the ever-changing and unique needs of each school and may vary throughout the year and at each site. Please contact your child’s school social worker for more information.

Back-to-School Mental Health Concerns and the Associated Clinic of Psychology:

Emotional ups & downs are to be expected during transition to a new school year and as children are growing and learning new social skills, but if your child is experiencing any of the following, please consider reaching out for some extra support: 

● Increased problems in multiple areas of life: academic, social, family relationships, etc. 
● Excessive worry 
● Crying, hopelessness, or feeling sad 
● Significant changes in sleeping or eating habits 
● Feeling bad about themselves 
● Withdrawal from activities or relationships they used to enjoy 
● Engaging in negative behaviors 
● Self harm behaviors or statements like “I wish I weren’t here”

Associated Clinic of Psychology has partnered with ISD 196 for over a decade to provide school-based mental health services. Services at Shannon Park are provided by licensed clinician, Sarah Najafalipour, who has worked with many ISD 196 families over the last 7 school years she has collaborated with the district. 

Please feel free to reach out to Shannon Park Social Worker, Sari Malterud (School: 651-423-7670) for questions regarding the program or to discuss a referral.