pcrossley@sungazette.com
Two new coordinator of trauma and mental health services positions were approved by the Williamsport Area School Board to help to deal with what Dr. Richard Poole, the district’s director of student services, termed a significant growth and need among students K-12 in the district.
“There has always been a need with mental health and trauma with our students, especially with COVID, we’ve seen a significant rise with mental health concerns across our schools,” he said.
“Trauma reveals itself in so many ways,” Poole said, adding that many times mental health issues are invisible. He advocated for a more proactive than reactive approach to deal with trauma and mental health issues.