Supporting Students in Crisis is a Priority for Our Wellness Team
Learn how St. Agnes is committed to supporting students in crisis through mental health resources and dedicated support services. See how we help students thrive in high school.
At St. Agnes Academy, we understand that high school is a transformative time filled with both opportunities and challenges. That’s why supporting students in crisis is central to the mission of our Wellness Center.
Our team is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for all students. We believe that by addressing the unique needs of each individual, we can help them overcome any obstacles they may encounter during their high school years.
Learn more about our approach to supporting students during difficulties. We’ll also cover the programs that equip students with the skills they need to navigate challenging situations and cultivate resilience.
How the Wellness Center Supports Students at St. Agnes
The work of our Wellness Center is grounded in compassion, care, and a deep commitment to each student’s holistic growth and development in a supportive learning environment. The Wellness team supports students through a variety of methods:
- Wellness Advising: Help students with decision‑making, transitions, academic stress, and connection with on‑ and off‑campus resources.
- Stress Management: Teach coping techniques to manage being overwhelmed.
- Relationship Issues: Counsel on resilience, conflict resolution, and healthy interpersonal dynamics.
- Academic Performance Guidance: Advise course selection, provide access to tutoring or learning support, and address non-academic challenges affecting school success.
- Self-Esteem & Confidence: Support students in identifying their strengths, countering negative self-talk, and building a positive self-image.
This team hosts individual counseling sessions, small-group workshops, and preventative programming throughout the year to equip students with life skills, self-awareness, and resilience. Let’s dive into some of these key programs.
Our Proactive Programming for Supporting Students in Crisis
Rather than waiting until distress becomes acute, the Wellness Team emphasizes the importance of prevention. Our team’s offerings include the following:
- Freshman Seminar: A standalone course designed to ease the transition into high school by teaching academic readiness, personal development, and social-emotional skills.
- Grade-Level Programs: Our faculty and teachers partner with school counselors to provide sessions on study skills, healthy boundaries, and effective course registration strategies.
- Wellness Workshops: Small-group sessions address anxiety coping skills, body image, friendships, and self-care techniques.
- Self‑Care Fair: A spring event featuring mindfulness activities, crafts, breathing techniques, and stress-relief strategies in an interactive format.
- Wellness Week: Held the week before final exams, this stress‑relief week includes activities like care dogs, bubbles, slime, bracelet-making, and bingo to support students in preparing for finals.
- Care Dogs: In partnership with Faithful Paws, we bring therapy dogs to campus for mid-term and finals relief.
- Wellness Parent “Lunch & Learn” gatherings: Informal year‑round Zoom sessions for parents featuring expert speakers on adolescent mental health and development.
How We’re Prepared for Crisis Management in High School
While proactive care is central to the Wellness Team’s philosophy, our staff is also equipped to support students during acute moments of emotional or psychological crisis.
When a student exhibits behaviors or expresses feelings of distress, the team responds swiftly and thoughtfully, providing immediate support and follow-up care. Faculty and staff are encouraged to refer students who show warning signs, such as:
- Sudden academic decline
- Withdrawal from peers or school activities
- Unexplained visits to the nurse
- Disruptive or out-of-character behavior
- Expressions of hopelessness or fear
Coordinated Support for Academic & Emotional Health
The Wellness Team collaborates with teachers, administrators, and parents to ensure coordinated care that addresses both emotional and academic needs.
While the Student Success Center offers executive functioning and accommodation support, the Wellness Center provides the foundational emotional and mental health care that enables students to effectively utilize those academic supports.
Empowering Students Through Connection
The ultimate goal of the Wellness Team is to help students become more self-aware, resilient, and connected to themselves, to each other, and to their faith.
By prioritizing emotional health, we ensure that students succeed in the classroom and carry themselves with confidence, strength, and compassion to navigate life’s challenges.
Discover Wellness Support at St. Agnes Academy
At St. Agnes Academy, supporting students in crisis is a daily commitment. Our Wellness Team fosters growth, belonging, and well-being, so each student can pursue academic success, spiritual development, and personal flourishing.
Our Student Support Services team is committed to providing personalized assistance to help every student thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Through tailored programs, one-on-one guidance, and a welcoming environment, we strive to ensure that each student feels supported in reaching their full potential.
If you have questions about our mental health resources for students, please contact our Wellness Counselors or the Student Success Center. Our staff members are ready to support our students every step of the way.
