When students at Bloom High School feel depressed or anxious, they have an easy, confidential way to get help from staff via an online support system.

The school in Chicago Heights is in its second year of partnering with a group called EduGuide, which provides students online modules with information about life skills and help for emotional struggles. School officials said it is also helping students improve academically.

EduGuide, a Lansing, Michigan-based nonprofit founded in 2000 that has worked with “thousands of schools, colleges and organizations,” according to its website, recently indicated that Bloom was a great place to showcase its program, recently designating Bloom as a National Model School amid a celebration at the school.

Principal Jerry Anderson, who encouraged the school to use the program, said it was not only helping Bloom students, but also helping them learn how to empathize and help their peers.

“If a student were to respond in a way to say they had a little anxiety, were depressed or thinking about self-harm, EduGuide would automatically send an alert to their counselor so their counselor can check in with them,” said Anderson, adding it only happens occasionally but acts as a safeguard. “It’s helping them and helping them to help others.

“It’s encouraging us to be a community together,” Anderson said.

She said the program offers “someplace where all students get to talk about what they feel and how they feel.”

“Sometimes I think we don’t do enough of that,” she said.

Students complete EduGuide modules twice monthly, or more often if they choose. The modules offer scenarios and situations that encourage reflection, problem-solving and practical application of what they’ve learned.

Some of the comments Anderson has received from students include:

“EduGuide helped me realize that getting past challenges is possible. You just have to dedicate yourself to coming up with a solution.”

“I encouraged and complimented my friends.”

“I am also working on myself to do better and be a scholar.”

Anderson said that kind of feedback is one of the biggest signs the program is working.

“When I look at our metrics, 97% of student respondents to date reported one or more changes in attitude, behavior or achievement from the online coaching,” she said. “That’s what tells me whether it’s effective or not.”

The school also has restorative practices for conflict resolution and community building circles led by teachers, counselors and administrators and behavior interventionists, which can help students build relationships and work together.

Bryan Taylor, EduGuide’s founder and president, said he was impressed with Bloom’s progress.

“As EduGuide works with schools across the nation, Bloom High School staff and students stand out for the way they have supported each other through thousands of acts of peer mentoring — and how they have learned more, become more engaged and done better in school as a result,” said Taylor. “Dr. Anderson and her team are growing a stronger learning community together,”

Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.