Mental Wellness Services

Last Updated: 9/7/2022 7:40 PM

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Hamilton City School district places a strong emphasis on social, emotional, and behavioral health in order to positively impact learning and life. 

We want all of our students to be healthy and ready to learn, and we recognize that strong mental health and wellness play a vital role in a student's growth and success. Students who are struggling with stress, anxiety, or other concerns cannot focus on school work. Hamilton High School's Freshman Campus is currently working with Mindpeace to find a school-based mental health therapy partner. During this time, if you wish to locate community mental health services for your child, please visit https://mindpeacecincinnati.com/search/.

Additionally, you may contact your student's academic advisor:

Amy Bijas - Students with last names A-K

abijas@hcsdoh.org

(513) 896-3400, ext. 3574

Stephanie Belschner - Students with last names L-Z

sbelschner@hcsdoh.org

(513) 896-3400, ext. 3509 
 

Students who exhibit some of the behaviors below may benefit from some extra help. Some of these behaviors may not be as obvious as others, but they may be a symptom of some underlying mental health issues.

  • Avoidant, anxious, or clingy towards teachers or caregivers

  • General fearfulness/sudden new fears that are not developmentally appropriate

  • Excessive worry or preoccupation

  • Many complaints of aches and pains - especially if there is a pattern to the complaints

  • Sadness/depression

  • Decreased interest in friends or activities

  • A consistent irritable mood

  • A decline in grades

  • Lack of motivation or energy

  • Bully behaviors or those who are the victim of bullies

  • Aggressive behavior

  • Helplessness, passive, or low frustration tolerance

  • Restless, impulsive, hyperactive

  • Inattention, often seem as if they are daydreaming

  • Sexualized behavior

  • Poor peer relationships and social problems

  • Doesn’t seem to understand others’ feelings

  • Absenteeism

  • Increased sensitivity to sensory inputs (bells, door slams, physical contact, etc)

  • Bathroom issues after a developmentally appropriate time

  • Defiant, oppositional behaviors that go beyond what is developmentally appropriate and that are chronic and problematic

  • A recent death or major loss in the family

  • Divorce

  • Chaotic or unstable home lives

  • History of trauma or abuse

Please contact your student's academic advisor. Contact information is below:

Amy Bijas - Students with last names A-K

abijas@hcsdoh.org

(513) 896-3400, ext. 3574

Stephanie Belschner - Students with last names L-Z

sbelschner@hcsdoh.org

(513) 896-3400, ext. 3509 

 

Mental Health Services and Immediate Assistance

With the safety and well-being of our students as a top priority, we recognize that strong mental health plays a vital role in a student's growth and success.

If a person needs immediate assistance:

Pediatric Mental Health Urgent Care
  Best Point Behavioral Health: (513)5 527-3040

Immediate Crisis Response and Consultation
  Mobile Response Stabilization Service: 844-427-4747

Consultation Support and Referral/Intake
  Children's Hospital Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC): (513) 636-4124

Crisis Numbers
   National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 
   Butler County Crisis Hotline: 844-427-4747 or 911
   Ohio Crisis Text Line: Text 4HOPE to 741741

Insurances Accepted:

 

Contact Christina:

psmith@hcsdoh.org

(513) 896-3400

Patrica Smith, LISW-S

 

Tricia is a School Based Therapist through Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She has worked for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center since 2015 and has been a Social Worker in mental and behavioral health settings for over 13 years. Tricia has clinical and management experience working in crisis psychiatric inpatient settings, partial hospitalization programs, school-based settings, and outpatient community mental health settings treating children through adults with mental and behavioral health needs. Tricia earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Miami University and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Cincinnati with a Mental Health Concentration. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with a Supervisor Designation in the state of Ohio 

Tricia enjoys helping with anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship building and conflict resolution, self-esteem issues, and parent psycho-education, and has a passion for helping to empower young girls and women. Tricia uses an integrative and holistic approach that pulls from various modalities depending on each client’s needs. Some of these include interventions from Client-Centered therapy, Strengths-Based, Relational, Cognitive Behavioral based interventions, Motivational Interviewing, and attachment and family systems approach. Tricia strongly values education and believes that setting kids up for the most success in the classroom means acknowledging the child as a whole and all they experience in and out of the classroom. 

Tricia is an avid boater and beachgoer and loves summer and reading. Born and raised in Hamilton, OH

Tricia is excited to be “home” serving in her community.