Gadsden ISD Showcases Leadership in Student Mental Health at Statewide Conference

Gadsden Independent School District educators and mental health professionals recently shared their work supporting student mental health and emotional well-being through two presentations at a professional conference.

The presentations highlighted the district's ongoing efforts to provide students with meaningful mental health resources, strengthen campus support systems, and empower students to support one another.

Empowering Students Through Peer Support

Gadsden High School Counselor Maria Dominguez joined Emily Sisk-Layman, Academic Enrichment Specialist with the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED), to present Peer-to-Peer Student Mental Health Organizations.

The presentation highlighted Gadsden High School's participation in a three-year, state-supported initiative designed to develop student-led mental health organizations at participating high schools.

Funded through a federal grant awarded to the state in 2025, the initiative focuses on increasing mental health awareness, encouraging peer-to-peer support, and introducing students to potential career pathways in behavioral health.

Presenters discussed strategies for developing student-led organizations, addressing common mental health concerns among teenagers, and creating supportive school environments.

Sharing Districtwide Student Wellness Strategies

In a separate presentation, GISD Mental Health Therapists Anthony Rodriguez, Conrad Bobadilla, and Rossana Moulton shared how the district supports students' social and emotional needs through its Student Wellness Program.

Their session, Multi-Layered System of Supports in Schools: Student Social and Emotional Supports, provided an overview of the district's approach to addressing student needs through multiple levels of support.

The presentation highlighted school counseling and mental health services, campus wellness centers, restorative practices, crisis response procedures, school re-entry support plans, and partnerships with community organizations.

The team also shared practical strategies for helping students navigate social and emotional challenges while strengthening collaboration between schools, families, and community partners.

Supporting the Whole Student

Together, the presentations demonstrated the district's comprehensive approach to student wellness, from empowering students to become mental health advocates among their peers to providing professional resources and individualized support when needed.

By sharing these initiatives with fellow professionals, Gadsden ISD is contributing to conversations about effective school-based mental health practices while continuing its commitment to creating safe, supportive learning environments where students can thrive.