Holmen schools trying to alleviate mental health issues for students, community

People need guidance on what kind of help is available in area

Students come to the guidance counselor’s office for many reasons.

In the Holmen School District, however, it seems to be one reason is growing, perhaps, to an alarming level.

Several people have complaints about mental illness and mental health concerns there, even at the elementary level. 

The district often has to rely on outside agencies for help.

“Our school counselors aren’t mental health specialist,” Holmen High School associate principal Wayne Sackett said. “We want to refer out, as much as we can.”

The district is both trying to help those in need and reverse the trend, if possible, of those who need to seek help.

“(We want to) raise an awareness of the mental health issues and then partner with our community agencies,” Sackett said, “and really create more of a positive environment because there still is this kind of stigma attached to mental health.”