ST. HELENS, Ore. (KOIN) — The St. Helens School District is grappling with a scandal surrounding the alleged sex abuse of students committed by former and current educators.
The series of shocking accusations, including the recent arrest of St. Helens High School principal Katy Wagner for criminal mistreatment and official misconduct charges, has rocked the St. Helens community.
While this collective trauma and its repercussions continue to unfold, some parents who are impacted may want to know how their children are holding up.
Columbia Community Mental Health Executive Director Todd Jacobson told KOIN 6 News he's there for support.
"Our youth family team, along with a lot of other staff of our organization, really felt it was important for the students to know that we do really support them, and we support healthy environments for them," Jacobson said. "We know this is a real stressful time for them with a lot of emotions happening."
Jacobson offered tips for parents to look out for, such as when their child may act out of the ordinary. Some warning signs include restlessness, loss of appetite or drastic changes in emotion.
"Anytime with either primary or secondary trauma, yeah, the symptoms can recede, and everything could be, you know, appearing to be, you know, reverting back to normal," Jacobson said. "And then you have a triggering event that can then cause those same emotions, whether physical, same emotions and physical reactions to - to present themselves again."
Jacobson said he and his team will be there for the community, through thick and thin.
"I really hope it helps. Because, you know, I think - I think the community of St. Helens is a really resilient community," he said. "We want to be part of that healing process, but appropriately so."
Jacobson said if you're a parent and you see your child acting a little different, you can try taking them to do some of their favorite things, whether that be exercise, baking or going to see a movie.
Jacobson said it's important to be patient with the process. However, if nothing seems to help, it might be a good idea to bring them by their facilities at Columbia Community Mental Health in St. Helens — or another mental health services provider.
CCMH's crisis line is 503-782-4499.
A national crisis line can also be accessed by calling or texting 988.
