SpeakUp, ReachOut and Let's Talk
SPEAKUP at speakup@student.rcps.us
We encourage students to speak up to help each other. If you are concerned about a classmate, are experiencing bullying or know of someone experiencing bullying, are concerned that a someone is considering suicide, or have safety concerns, we encourage you to SpeakUp by calling/texting 540-595-0706 or emailing speakup@student.rcps.us. We take every report very seriously and will quickly respond to provide support.
Or, you can call the Roanoke County Police Department at 540-562-3265.
Together let's be safe, be respectful and be responsible!
Call or text to get crisis support Roanoke County Public Schools offers a 24/7 student focused mental health support line for our school community. Middle and high school students and all school staff can engage in conversations with a trained mental health counselor whenever they need support.
Below are some types of support that this mental health line can provide:
- Emotional support: Students can find support to navigate their feelings about their situation.
- Processing difficult circumstances: Students can receive support with family changes, peer relationships or conflicts.
- Grief and loss: Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be incredibly challenging for a student. This provides a safe and confidential space to process emotions.
- Suicidal thoughts: - In these situations, each conversation assesses the student’s level of risk to determine the severity of the situation and to help inform the appropriate next steps.
What does this look like?
Students can call or text to start a conversation with a trained crisis counselor. The counselor will provide a risk assessment of the students’ situation and help them to de-escalate their emotions and provide coping strategies to help them through their day.
This initiative helps us fulfill our desire to improve student mental health by providing your family with 24/7 immediate connection to trained mental health counselors for whatever difficult or confusing situations they may need help processing.
As always, our RCPS staff will encourage our students to talk to their parents and caregivers or an trusted adult. ReachOut is a community resource that supports mental health for students.
Get Started at www.rcps.us/LetsTalk
Like so many communities across the country, the Roanoke Valley faces a challenge when it comes to local availability of licensed mental health counselors.
We’re proud to introduce Let's Talk – a new 24/7/365 telehealth service that helps us meet this critical need for ongoing mental health therapy.
This program will support students, families, and staff through direct counseling, prevention, and early intervention services delivered by a contracted mental telehealth provider. We're working to improve access to care by reducing barriers such as transportation and scheduling challenges, supporting early identification and intervention for mental health concerns, and fostering a more supportive and responsive school environment that promotes wellness and academic success.