White mailboxes labeled START are all around Harriton – in the JSL, in the nurse’s office, in Student Services – but what are they for and who uses them? START stands for STudent Assistance Referral Team. The program is made for students who are going through things that can interfere with their success in school, such as family problems, eating disorders, stress overload, or depression. Although forms of this kind of program are used in most schools, START itself is unique to Lower Merion School District.  It aims to ensure that all students stay safe, mentally and physically, and strives to create a place where they can be comfortable expressing their feelings.

The purpose is noble, but its everyday success for students comes from referrals. Other kids, teachers and parents can anonymously refer students to START. For example, if your best friend has stopped eating at lunch and you are worried that she might have an eating disorder, you can refer her to the START program. You may have made a mistake and she is actually fine, or she could truly need counseling on an eating disorder, but either way you showed your friendship and helped her. The START program gives concerned friends an easy way to assist without directly embarrassing or exposing the person being referred.

To refer a student to the START program, grab a form from right next to the mailbox or from the guidance counselor’s office, fill it out, and drop it into the box. You can also access the form online with this link. When your anonymous form is collected, the student you referred will be called down to the guidance counselor’s office to express their feelings about the relevant issue. Of course, immediate emergencies, like suicide threats, should be reported directly to a principal or counselor.

The START program’s sole purpose is to make sure that students can have a safe and private place where they can solve any issues they have. Although the program helps a student return to success in school, problems can go beyond academic and family issues. Some situations that the program is designed for include family concerns, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, anxiety or stress, self-harming behaviors, mental and physical health issues, and problematic peer relationships. If someone you know struggles with any of these, please refer them to the START program so they can get the help they need to get back on the road to success.