Back by popular demand, Canyons School District is sponsoring free mental health consultations for students in grades 3-12 and their parents or guardians.

Seven mental health screening nights have been scheduled at seven different schools throughout the year, and families are free to choose the location and date that’s most convenient. The screenings are free of charge, but registration is required in advance.

Once they arrive for their scheduled appointment, parents will complete a questionnaire outlining their concerns and any questions they may have. Students will complete a Terrace Metric Survey, which assesses how to address the particular mental health issues they may be facing. The assessment tool looks at everything from resilience, to anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. 

“It tells us where the kids are sitting mental health wise, as far as if they’re at risk maybe for bullying or if they’re at risk for suicide or at risk for depression or anxiety,” says Canyons Prevention Specialist Kelly Redican.

The family then sits down with a trained mental health professional to go over parent concerns and review the student’s survey. Redican says there are times these surveys bring to light issues parents weren’t even aware of.

Some parents may already have concerns. “You kind of get a gut feeling if you know it’s something outside of the normal scope,” Redican says, “and some kids are having a hard time, maybe opening up about those feelings with their parents. This is an opportunity to obtain information and resources from licensed mental health professionals.”

Mental Health Nights are among many wellness resources available for Canyons families. Redican says families can also schedule a visit with their school’s social worker or school counselor. The Canyons Family Center has a variety of aids for families on different topics. The District also provides a number of parenting classes as well as classes for anxiety and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

If you’re concerned about a classmate or another child and feel they may not be getting enough support from home, you can reach the new national suicide hotline by calling or texting 988 or send a confidential tip through the SafeUT crisis and safety app, which is monitored all day, every day by the University of Utah’s Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

Questions? Please call 801-826-5187.

Screening Nights

Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. 

Sept. 19 — Mount Jordan Middle School, 9351 Mountaineer Lane, Sandy  

Oct. 24 — Albion Middle School,  2755 Newcastle Drive, Sandy

Nov. 21 — Midvale Middle School, 7852 S. Pioneer St., Midvale

Jan. 23 — Union Middle School, 615 E. 8000 South, Sandy

Feb. 20 — Indian Hills Middle School, 1180 E Sanders Road, Sandy

March 20 — Draper Park Middle School, 13133 S. 1300 East, Draper

April 24 — Butler Middle School, 7530 S. 2700 East, Cottonwood Heights