Galena Park ISD presenter urges consistent self-care, outlines therapy resources for staff and families

Kirby Rogers, a mental-health professional who works in Galena Park ISD, led a staff-focused presentation emphasizing practical strategies for managing stress and accessing care. Rogers began with a centering exercise and asked participants to identify one takeaway and how it would benefit their home and work lives.

Rogers told attendees that mental health ‘‘can fluctuate’’ and that occasional low moods do not necessarily indicate a diagnosable condition. Citing the National Institute of Mental Health, she defined psychotherapy as talk therapy typically delivered in outpatient settings on a weekly or biweekly basis and said people should seek therapy when they cannot regulate thoughts, emotions or behaviors and their functioning is affected.

She recommended practical ways to find a therapist — starting with insurance provider directories and primary care referrals — and named public-facing tools such as Psychology Today and telehealth platforms like Teladoc. Rogers also described Galena Park ISD’s employee assistance program, which provides six free individual sessions per calendar year for district employees before insurance benefits apply.

The presenter introduced a five-area wellness framework she labeled SPiRE: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational and Emotional. She encouraged sustained habits (annual checkups, adequate sleep, hydration, exercise, close supportive relationships and consistent emotional work) rather than occasional, short-term ‘‘pampering’’ as the basis for long-term wellbeing. Rogers closed by urging participants that ‘‘talking about it’’ reduces stigma and by encouraging broader participation from men in conversations about mental health.

The council did not take action on policy during the presentation. Meeting organizers noted that attendees could follow up after the meeting to receive handouts and additional resources.