Northern Lehigh School District hopes a new partnership will help families better support the mental health needs of their children.

The district is taking a proactive approach to supporting the mental health of its students and their families through the partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection and ParentGuidance.org.

The district is offering free 24/7 access to a wide range of mental health resources, aimed to strengthen the emotional well-being of its students and provide families with the tools to support their children at home.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link said, “We know that the safety and security of our students goes beyond physical measures. For students to feel truly secure, they need to feel welcomed, connected, and supported within our schools.

“A big part of that is fostering strong relationships — not just among peers, but also among students, staff, and families. That begins with emotional well-being.”

The Cook Center for Human Connection and ParentGuidance.org offers a variety of training opportunities for families, including webinars on some of the most pressing mental health challenges that children and parents face today. Some of the topics available include:

• Your Child’s Anxiety

• Bullying — Stop the Cycle

• Social Media: Protecting Your Child

• De-escalating Cycles of Conflict

• Building Your Child’s Confidence

“These are real-world issues our families are dealing with every day,” Link said. “We wanted to provide resources that can help families support their children emotionally, especially when they may feel unsure of where to turn. “The best part is that these tools are totally free for our families and available at all hours of the day. Parents and guardians can select the topics that are most relevant for them and their children. We hope parents and guardians use them as much as they need.”

Link said this initiative was made possible in large part due to the school board’s commitment to mental health.

“Our school board wanted to ensure that these supports were accessible to all families, and at no cost,” he said. “This partnership reflects their dedication to the well-being of our students and their families.”

Link encourages families to explore these resources.

“The tools provided by ParentGuidance.org cover a wide range of topics that are designed to help parents navigate challenging conversations and situations,” he said. “From managing anxiety and building confidence to understanding social media’s impact, these resources provide strategies that parents can use at home.”

To access these resources, families are directed to visit the Northern Lehigh School District website.

“We’ve made it easy to find,” Link said. “Just click on the ParentGuidance.org banner and follow the prompts from there. These are resources that can be used anytime, anywhere.”

For more information, visit the district’s website, https://www.nlsd.org to explore the full range of free offerings provided by the district and ParentGuidance.org.

Northern Lehigh has received a grant to offset costs.