WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — Gwen McLean is a behavioral health trainer for Wake County Public Schools. McLean teaches skills she's used in her 17 years as a high school counselor — skills she believes in.

What You Need to Know 

According to a new state policy, schools need to show how they will identify students who are at risk for mental health issues and lay out the strategies in place to reach out to them 

The Wake County Public School system is prioritizing behavioral health, a term that includes social emotional learning, behavior and mental health 

The hope is that staff will take what they've learned about their own behavioral health needs to better help students 

"I've had unexpected crisis events that have happened and these skills have helped me be able to manage those and help me build better relationships and connections," McLean said.

When life feels out of control or McLean's not her best self, she thinks about her resources.

"My family, my faith, things that I enjoy. Things that are around me," she said.

McLean says turning her thoughts to those resources brings her back to a sense of peace and joy, and she hopes to teach those techniques to colleagues and students.

"Implementing those skills have lessened the number of discipline referrals. It has decreased the number of distractions within the classroom," McLean said.

But you can't teach something you haven't learned. That's why McLean and other educators are prepping for the school year by focusing on their own behavioral health.

Spectrum News 1 was able to observe a few minutes of what's called "circle training." It's a safe and private space to share your story, answering questions that can be difficult or easy.

The circle builds connections and helps people realize they're more alike than different.

And as educators learn to quiet their minds through their resources and commonalities, the skills can come full-circle, back to students.

"Once they see the impact and the power that it has with building strong relationships and connections, that is when it becomes so valuable and so important," said McLean. 

Behavioral health training isn't new for Wake County Public Schools; it's something the school district does throughout the year.

This year, however, Wake County has hired more trainers and is making the training available to more staff members, such as principals and assistant principals.

The hope is that staff will take what they've learned about their own behavioral health needs to better help students.