News 12 at 11 o'clock, November 9, 2009

AUGUSTA---A child's mental health is just as important as their physical fitness. That is the primary message this week, as school districts across the country observe National School Psychology Awareness Week.

Richmond County school psychologists are trying to make sure their schools are equipped to handle any kind of mental health issue.

Sometimes there's trouble for some students concentrating in the classroom, others are acting disruptive, and some are dealing with the loss of a family member or bullying. These are all issues school psychologists like Dr.Carolyn Paul deal with every day.

"We want to be there for our children and their mental health needs are important," says Dr. Paul.

Deep beneath the surface of most problems children face, the biggest issue of all is communication according to Dr. Paul. That is why during National School Psychology Awareness Week part of the focus is on identifying and admitting there is a problem.

"Anytime we have an issue or a problem I think it relates to communication issues," says Dr. Carolyn Paul, psychologist with the Richmond County School System.

During the week, Dr. Paul and the other staff psychologist will visit all 36 schools in Richmond County and provide materials to parents and teachers that will help them deal with all kinds of mental health situations.They will also conduct evaluations of students. Dr. Paul says there are so many factors that contribute to the wellness or unhealthiness of our children's mental state.

"Emotional concerns that children might have perhaps they might be acting out at school based on mental health things going on," says Dr. Paul. "Just the economic uncertainties, that we are at war, the curriculum that they're facing, out children have a lot of needs and we want to be there to help advocate."

The National Association of School Psychologists is also a great resources for students and parents to check out. They have a website with great links to help parents deal with specific mental health problems. For more information go to http://www.nasponline.org.