A Piatt County school district is praising the various organizations that helped bring a mental health professional to their district and believes it has been a huge success.

Dr. Sheila Greenwood is the Superintendent of the Bement School district and credits the Piatt County Mental Health Center, Kirby Medical Center in Monticello and the DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department for creating this partnership to bring a mental health counselor to their district along with Monticello and DeLand-Weldon Schools.

As mental health issues continue to be more of a focal point in today's world, Dr. Greenwood indicates the Illinois Youth Survey gives them a great deal of information on what kids are dealing with. She points out the breakdown of students that needs help is interesting.

Dr. Greenwood also believes as screen time increases in youth today, there will be a direct increase in attention and communication disorders. 

Dr. Greenwood says the statistics they are getting back are very similar to the other districts in this collaborative. She notes, however, their student body is actually seeing more males seeking help than the other districts. Dr. Greenwood is very pleased to hear that.