During her March 16 board report, Gasconade County R-2 Assistant Superintendent Dr. Staci Johnson shared that the district finished its annual suicide awareness and prevention training

Owensville Elementary School had 101 students participate, and nine requested to have follow-up conversations with a counselor. At Owensville Middle School, 390 students participated in the training, with 14 requesting follow-up conversations with the counselor, and two required additional support from professional health services. At Owensville High School, 540 students participated in the training, with 24 requesting follow-up conversations with a counselor, and five required additional support from professional services.

“We have scheduled two community engagement events for this spring, tied to our goal to better support community health awareness,” Johnson said.

The event is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 15 at the Owensville Middle School. Josh Varner, a trauma-informed expert who is nationally recognized, will be speaking on “Digital Detoxing: How Smartphones and Social Media Impact Mental Health — And How to Reclaim Well-Being.”

“This session will be helpful for any parent navigating their child’s use of smartphones and social media,” Johnson noted in her report.