Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Policy

At iLEAD Lancaster, we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all our learners. During September, Suicide Prevention Month, our goal is to ensure that learners,  families, and friends have access to the resources they need to support mental well-being.

Click below for some resources to help you through difficult times:

• Find your words: Mental health resources from Kaiser Permanente: healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/mental-health/find-your-words
• Text HOME to 741741: Free, 24/7 crisis support in the US.
• Teen Line: Teens Helping Teens:
  • Call 800-TLC-TEEN (800-852-8336) from 6:00-10:00 PM
  • Text TEEN to 839863 From 6:00-9:00 PM.
  • www.teenlineonline.org
• Suicide and Crisis Hotline: Dial 988
• iLEAD Student Support Counseling: ileadstudentsupport.org/counseling/

Our Family Guidebook includes the following Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Policy:

The Governing Board recognizes that suicide is a major cause of death among youth and should be taken seriously. In order to reduce suicidal behavior and its impact on learners and families, the Director(s) or designee have developed preventive strategies, intervention and postvention procedures. The purpose of this policy is to protect the health and well-being of all learners by having procedures in place to prevent, assess the risk of, intervene in, and respond to suicide.

In order to initiate access to available pupil mental health services, you may contact the following mental health provider: Jose Gonzalez at 661-722-4287. 

A minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to mental health treatment or counseling services if the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently in the outpatient services or counseling services. The professional person treating or counseling the minor is required to consult with the minor before determining whether involvement of the minor’s parent or guardian would be inappropriate. These service providers can bill Medi-Cal as appropriate.

Additional resources are available on our Mental Health page.

If you or your child is struggling, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You are not alone, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels heard, understood, and supported.