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  1. Academics
  2. Student Services
  3. Resources & Support
  4. Counseling

Counseling

Counseling Programs & Services

A logo for 7 Mindsets, featuring a line of blue, green, and black circles.7 Mindsets: Empowering Student Well-Being and School Culture
Opelika City Schools adopted the 7 Mindsets curriculum, a Tier 1, PreK–12 social-emotional learning program designed to build positive mindsets, resilience, and student well-being. Rooted in research and built around seven core mindsets, this program helps students develop a sense of purpose, accountability, and belonging while supporting educators with professional learning and coaching.

The easy-to-use, digital platform includes grade-level lessons, videos, activities, and tools in both English and Spanish, allowing educators to foster stronger relationships, improve school culture, and empower students to thrive.

By creating a shared language and focus across all schools, 7 Mindsets promotes connected, inclusive learning environments where both students and staff grow together—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Bullying Prevention

Opelika City Schools is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. No student should engage in or be subjected to bullying, harassment, violence, threats of violence, or intimidation based on any characteristic identified in the district’s bullying policy. Students are expected to treat others respectfully, follow all laws and policies prohibiting harassment and intimidation, and refrain from any actions that could cause harm or create fear in others.

If you are aware of bullying or harassment, please report it to the appropriate school principal. While we provide the following Bullying Complaint Form to assist in this process, we encourage in-person meetings with school officials whenever possible to ensure that concerns are addressed thoroughly.

For more details, please review the Opelika City Schools Bullying Policy.

Mental Health Information & Resources

Opelika City Schools’ mental health programs work collaboratively with the counseling departments. Mrs. Amy Tatum is the Mental Health Services Coordinator.

Laws & Resources

  • Annalyn’s Law, signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in 2018, requires that law enforcement notify local school districts of low-risk juvenile sexual offenders attending school with the general population. For information and resources about Annalyn’s Law and child abuse please visit the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) website.

  • On June 4, 2015, Governor Bentley signed into effect legislative law HB 197, known as Erin’s Law. This law requires all public school systems to provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education in grades ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade.

    In the Opelika City School System, school counselors and other educational professionals will present lessons to students in 1st through 12th grades to meet the requirements of Erin’s Law. Opelika City Schools has decided to use the Teen Lures Prevention School Program curriculum. The student anchor-led Newscasts give teens a platform to discuss personal boundaries and explore protective choices that lead to healthy relationships. By having interactive discussions about issues, we can help keep teens healthy and safe. This curriculum was chosen to teach children to recognize child sexual abuse, equip them with skills to reduce their vulnerability, and encourage them to report the abuse. This will, in turn, educate and empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe.

    For more information or questions about this law, visit www.erinslaw.org. 

  • Governor Robert Bentley signed The Jason Flatt Act on May 10, 2016 – Alabama (SB11) into law, which ensures training for teachers to increase awareness concerning teen suicide. Visit the Alabama State Department of Education’s (ALSDE) website for information and resources about suicide prevention. 

  • Community Resources

    National Resources:

    • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (available 24/7)
      • English: 1-800-273-TALK (8255); Spanish: 1-888-628-9454 
    • Crisis Text Line (Available 24/7)
      • Text HELLO to 741-741; trained volunteers will text about whatever is a crisis for you 
    • National Drug Helpline
      • 1-844-289-0879
    • 988 Lifeline (Visit the website)
      • Dial 988 if you need to talk; counselors are available. No Judgement. Just Help.