LSS brings mental health care to schools, eliminating barriers for youth

This piece is sponsored by LSS.

“Seeking out services when struggling is a strength.”

That’s what Michelle Wiegand, clinical associate director of LSS Behavioral Health Services, reminded Stella, an eighth grade student, and her family when they reached out for support.

“Stella had been withdrawing from school and losing interest in activities in the weeks leading up to her mother’s deployment,” Wiegand said. “Every child processes deployment differently, and it’s important for kids to understand they ‘have permission’ to feel multiple emotions at once — that they can miss their mom while still allowing themselves to have fun.”

PATH — Providing Access to Healing — is a school-based counseling program made possible through a partnership among LSS, the Sioux Empire United Way and several local school districts. By offering counseling directly in schools, PATH eliminates common barriers to accessing mental health care such as transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts and long wait times for services. Support is available in a setting where students already feel safe, so they can get the help they need without missing school or requiring parents to take time off work.

With a staggering one in six youths age 6 to 17 experiencing a mental health disorder each year, programs like PATH are critical in helping children develop emotional intelligence and resilience — skills that will serve them throughout life.

“When kids learn to regulate their emotions, it boosts their self-confidence, strengthens relationships and helps them navigate challenges,” Wiegand said.

Throughout her time working with Wiegand, Stella learned to name and process her emotions in healthy ways, leading to fewer outbursts and more healthy conversations. With support from her school, her family and Wiegand, Stella grew more confident handling difficult feelings.

“Stella’s transformation was remarkable,” Wiegand said. “By the time she was finished with the program, she was interacting with her family, socializing with friends and finding joy in extracurricular activities. She had the skills to manage difficult emotions — and that made all the difference.”

PATH served more than 400 students in the 2023-24 school year, helping them build emotional understanding, improve academic performance and strengthen relationships at home and in school.

“The power of community — and a support system — cannot be overstated,” Wiegand said. “Programs like PATH exist because people believe in investing in our youth. Every donation, every show of support, helps create a stronger future for our state. The next generation is worth it.”

Through the Providing Access to Healing program, counseling services are offered during the school day for students enrolled in the Sioux Falls School District.

Referrals for school-based counseling are available here.