Sandy families in the Canyons School District can sign up for free evening mental health classes at Mt. Jordan Middle School. The Canyons Family Center begins its fall schedule the week of Monday, Sept. 7, with sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the school, 9351 S. Mountaineer Lane.

The program serves students of all ages and their parents at no cost, FOX 13 News Utah reported Monday, Sept. 7.

Student offerings include anger management, coping with divorce, grief support, social skills and a confidence-building course called Confidently Me for Teens, according to a Hillcrest High School newsletter. Parent classes cover strategies for raising children with ADHD or anxiety, positive parenting and helping teens build social skills. Classes are grouped by age, with some geared toward kindergartners through second graders and others toward teens.

One course is new this year. Michelle Busch of the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children task force will teach an internet safety class for students and families. A separate class on mindful electronics use targets third- through sixth-graders and their parents.

Ellie Bechard, director of the Canyons Family Center, told FOX 13 that district survey data shows student mental health is trending in the right direction. Reports of depression and suicidal ideation have declined over the past two survey cycles, she said, despite concerns about social media's effect on young people.

The district's latest Student Health and Risk Prevention Survey, known as SHARP, backs up that assessment. Administered every two years to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 with parental permission, the most recent cycle found more students reporting no symptoms of anxiety or depression compared to two years prior, according to a Canyons District news release. Reports of suicidal thoughts, planning and attempts all declined.

Bechard said the center still sees a need among students with severe mental health challenges.

Susan Leete, a district counselor who teaches emotional intelligence to the youngest students at the center, said parents often tell her the skills carry over at home. "The parents will come back and tell us like 'You know what we had a big meltdown last night so we pulled out the paper from your class and we chose which coping skill to use and it really helped them regulate their emotions,'" Leete said.

Beyond classes, the Family Center offers individual counseling, student-support groups and crisis counseling every second Wednesday of the month. Mental health screener nights are available by appointment. Canyons District enrolls about 32,700 students across 50 schools.

Families can register through the Canyons Family Center page on the district website. No enrollment deadline has been announced; classes continue throughout the school year.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.