McKinney | June 2025

Health care

BY SHELBIE HAMILTON

Local groups form mental health clinic

Diving in deeper

"If you are open to reaching out and making a connection and getting support for yourself

The community-based care approach looks to address mental health needs, including trends that district ocials are seeing. Jennifer Akins, chief school improvement and federal programs ocer in McKinney ISD, said trends in mental health needs include anxiety, depression and grief. The wellness center also oers resources for parents, including parent groups and events. One resource oers opportunities for parents to learn about a pre-determined topic related to parenting skills while other opportunities oer a chance for parents to lead discussions, said Caryn Sawlis, who serves as the coordinator of the Student & Family Wellness Center of Collin County. The parent resources were developed to support parents and create an environment where they could connect and share experiences. “It was enlightening hearing parents talk about how they were able to let their guard down and have an opportunity to build relationships with individuals that … were all going through similar

or your child or both, we want to meet that need." JENNIFER AKINS, MCKINNEY ISD CHIEF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS OFFICER

The Student & Family Wellness Center of Collin County is now oering free mental health services and resources to eligible Collin County residents. The center, currently located within Serenity High on the McKinney North High School campus, is a grant-funded initiative that looks to address the root causes of mental health issues, its website states. The program, which began operations in early 2025, is a collaborative eort between McKinney ISD, Melissa ISD, the Coalition for Behavioral Healthcare in Collin County, Rustic Way Ranch and The Chicago School. The center oers free mental health resources, individual therapy and small group therapy for McKinney ISD students.

experiences with the stress of parenting,” Sawlis said of a parent group discussion. According to a 2024 report issued by the U.S. Surgeon General, parents experience a higher rate of loneliness than non-parents. In 2023, 33% of parents reported high levels of stress in the past month compared to 20% of other adults, the report states. Akins said these factors and other stressors have contributed to challenges for parents. “That pressure for parenting is not anything that’s unique to McKinney. It is a nationwide trend that we’re seeing,” she said.

The impact

grant funding to support the program. “Allowing our parents and our students a place that’s safe and inviting to receive services can just do a tremendous amount of good to a community,” Sawlis said. To learn more about services available or to schedule an appointment, visit www.collincountybehavioralhealth.org.

This initiative is supported by Texas Health Resources as part of a Texas Health Community Impact grant award. The grant will support the program for two years and will also support training eorts for over 800 educators on mental health and behavioral topics, Akins said. As the program grows, Akins said she also expects to pursue additional partnerships and

Wellness center representatives Jennifer Lidington and Caryn Sawlis at Serenity High.

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