A key component of Munising Public Schools’ recent gains is the integration of school-based mental health services through the E3 program.

Part of Michigan’s Expanding, Enhancing Emotional Health (E3) initiative, the program embeds licensed mental health professionals within the school to provide on-site therapy and emotional support for students.

E3 operates during the school day, with one appointment available after school. Standard hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program is facilitated by the LMAS Health Department, with the school providing the space to deliver services.

At Munising Middle/High School, E3 therapists work collaboratively with teachers, social workers, school staff and parents to provide outpatient therapy services on-site.

The program identifies students who may be struggling with attendance, academic performance or emotional well-being and provides them with accessible therapy during school hours without disrupting their education.

“Quite often, referrals for mental health care are made through this process,” said Melissa Carlson, an LMAS-employed school counselor and mental health therapist. “If a student’s academics suddenly decline or if they start missing school, it’s often a sign of an underlying social- emotional challenge.”

When a referral is made, E3 therapists connect with the student and, when appropriate, his or her caregivers to explore available support options. However, participation remains entirely the student’s choice.

“Most of the time, students accept services, and this process has been amazing,” Carlson said. “It helps us catch students who might otherwise fall through the cracks, letting them know we care and want to see them succeed — not just in school but in life.”

Addressing challenges

According to E3 staff, the most common issue they address is anxiety, which can significantly impact attendance.

“The challenge with anxiety is that students often want to avoid school altogether,” Carlson said. “Avoidance, however, only reinforces anxious thoughts. Counseling helps students build confidence, tolerate stress and develop strategies to work through their fears.”

Rachel Harmon, a social worker at Munising Public Schools, addressed the importance of therapy as a structured process that promotes emotional growth.

“E3 fosters social-emotional growth through the therapeutic process,” Harmon said. “Through a trusting relationship, students engage in mental health treatment to enhance self-awareness, address mental health symptoms and develop skills to maintain overall well-being.”

This makes consistent attendance crucial to the effectiveness of mental health interventions.

“If a student isn’t in school, they’re missing their counseling sessions, which makes it harder to see progress,” Carlson said. “Counseling takes time. Participation in sessions is key to building coping skills and reframing perspectives.”

Teachers also have expressed overwhelming gratitude for the E3 program.

“Teachers have limited time and many students to manage,” Carlson said. “While they do their best to support students, they don’t have the credentialing to provide therapy. Having E3 in the building ensures that students can receive professional services where they need them most.”

Expanding access to services Recognizing the growing need for student mental health support, Munising Public Schools expanded the E3 program for the 2023-24 school year. With a grant awarded by LMAS, the school district was able to add another therapist and office space, eliminating the need for a waitlist.

“Previously, we had one fulltime therapist, and students would often be placed on a waitlist,” Carlson said. “Now, thanks to state funding, LMAS has been able to expand to seven mental health therapists across multiple school and clinical sites.”

E3 now operates at four schoolbased locations and two clinical sites, ensuring that students and families across the region can access consistent mental health support.

“Our expansion was divided between Munising and Manistique,” Carlson said. “With an additional therapist splitting time between the two locations, we’ve been able to eliminate the waitlist this year, which has been a huge benefit.”

Collaboration with staff, families Harmon stressed that seamless collaboration between E3 therapists, school social workers and counselors has been crucial to the program’s success.

“One might expect confusion or conflict regarding roles, but in Munising, we’ve never had that issue,” Harmon said. “Our middle/high school mental health team shares the same goal — supporting students, families and staff.”

The program also works closely with parents, though engagement can be challenging, particularly with high school students.

“Teens are learning independence, and while they often want their parents informed, they may not want direct involvement,” Carlson said.

By state law, students 14 and older can consent to limited mental health services without parental approval. However, E3 ensures that students feel comfortable with their level of family involvement while providing confidential, professional care.

A model of success

Harmon and Carlson both believe that the E3 program’s greatest achievement has been its consistency and professionalism in delivering mental health care within a school setting.

“There are many different types of social-emotional support in schools, but E3 provides a stable, structured program,” Harmon said. “Having daily access to professional outpatient therapy right in the school is a huge asset for our students and families.”

The implementation of E3 within the academic environment was initially a challenge, as mental health services in schools require a different approach than traditional outpatient care.

“It takes highly skilled staff to learn, understand and adequately employ mental health treatment in a school setting,” Harmon said. “But through education, meaningful communication and strong collaboration, we’ve developed a truly excellent program.”

Looking ahead

While the district celebrates its academic and attendance gains, school leaders remain focused on continued growth. Future priorities include expanding parent engagement, further developing intervention programs and refining attendance strategies to ensure all students have access to the support they need.

“This progress is not the finish line — it’s just the beginning,” Carlson said. “With the support of our educators, families and community, we’ll keep moving forward.”

For more information on Munising Public Schools initiatives, contact the district at 906-3872103 or visit www.mps-up.com.