Mental Health

On August 30, 2006, I joined a fraternity that no one ever wants to be part of. Along with my classmates at Orange High School, I experienced the terror of a school shooting when Alvaro Castillo pulled into the parking lot and opened fire toward the patio. At the time, I was sitting in the cafeteria.

Thanks to the quick thinking and courage of our School Resource Officer and a retired North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper who was working as a driving instructor, an unimaginable tragedy was prevented. Still, the events of that day shook our school system to its core. Combined with what I have witnessed throughout my career in public safety, that experience has shaped my belief in the critical importance of early mental health intervention.

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Nearly half of all mental health disorders present before the age of 14. Because of this, schools play a vital role in identifying early warning signs and ensuring students receive help before a situation escalates into a crisis or tragedy.

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Our current school board has taken important steps by promoting Mental Health First Aid training for faculty and staff. That training is valuable, but it is only part of the solution. Mental Health First Aid can help de-escalate emerging concerns, but it does not fully address situations where a student is already in acute crisis.

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That is why I support expanding access to Crisis Intervention Team certification for school staff. CIT training equips participants with practical skills to recognize serious mental health crises, respond safely, and connect students with appropriate support.

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I propose a voluntary program that allows interested faculty and staff to attend CIT training, paid for by Orange County Schools. Those who complete the certification would receive a modest supplement recognizing their expanded skill set and responsibilities.

I want to be clear. This is not about asking educators to take on unpaid work or additional burdens. It is about offering an opportunity for those who choose it to gain specialized training and be fairly compensated for it.

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When it comes to protecting our classrooms and preventing another day like August 30, 2006, or something even worse, no responsible option should be dismissed. I welcome ideas and input from our community on how we can better protect the mental health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff.