Ms. Letricia Ogutu has recently joined Huntsville City Schools as the Mental Health Services Coordinator, a new position the district created to provide a variety of supports and interventions for students, their families, and school faculty & staff. A native of Huntsville, Ms. Ogutu brings over ten years of experience working with adults, adolescents, and children in both clinical and school settings. She also holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Alabama A&M University.
As the Mental Health Services Coordinator, Ms. Ogutu will support schools with developing frontline interventions that promote health and wellness to all students. In addition, she will work with administrators and other existing teams to identify, problem-solve, and engage in efforts to remove mental health barriers that might get in the way of student learning.
“I am grateful to have such a pivotal role in helping our district’s students be more successful emotionally, behaviorally, and academically,” says Ms. Ogutu, adding that “it is so vital to be proactive and address mental health issues early.”
Part of being proactive will include working to provide a wide range of consultation and professional development opportunities for school staff, which will promote awareness and normalization when it comes to mental health and wellness issues. She will also collaborate with parents to provide tools and resources for ensuring their child’s success, all while serving as both a chief advocate for the mental health of students and a liaison to various community partners.
The Mental Health Services Coordinator will serve as a vital role that ensures a continued legacy of leading and learning here at Huntsville City Schools.