Mental Health Messages
"School mental health addresses all aspects of social-emotional development of school-age children including wellness, mental illness, substance abuse, and effects of adverse childhood experiences.
Stigma associated with mental illness needs to be directly addressed and eliminated."
--Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework, 2015
Stigma associated with mental illness needs to be directly addressed and eliminated."
--Wisconsin School Mental Health Framework, 2015
Focusing on mental health is important, but in an era of "initiative fatigue" this is not the time to introduce your staff to another big program-- you need to consider their mental health as well! Take it in small steps. First address stigma and give teachers information that is meaningful and manageable. Weave short 20 minute mental health messages into meetings with teachers and staff-- not an overload but just enough to get people looking at mental health in a way that can help them as well as their students.
Each segment listed provides information that can help reduce stigma or directly address specific concerns. Directions, links, and handouts are included, as well as references in case you want to learn more. Click any section and go to the presentation page.
ACEs
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are negative occurrences in childhood, including abuse, neglect or household dysfunction, which are linked to compromised health and well-being in adulthood. These negative experience also negatively impact your students-- regardless of your zipcode. This segment gives an introduction to ACEs and it's affect; email staff a link to the online quiz so they can learn their ACEs score.
Use this message with "Resiliency in Our Students" for a 40 minute presentation on ACEs. Link to ACEs page Link to ACEs quiz (email link to staff before or after presentation) |
"Moreover, although early adversity can lead to greater vulnerability later in life, positive experiences can decrease such risk." Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., Harvard University
Schools offer the unique setting and educators have the ability and skills to make a difference in fostering resilience in our students, expecially those with difficult life experiences. Link to Resilience page Handout- Resiliency Building in Schools |
Suicide Prevention
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This message is geared for teens to offer help to teens-- think public service announcement.
The 10 minute message can be delivered by a teen in a classroom setting with an teacher present, or just shared with teens to watch on their own. Good for National Suicide Prevention Week, second week in September Brochure to handout with presentation |
This exercise helps educators look at the demands-- work and life-- and how are they effecting your mental health. Careers in education have many, and varied, demands and expectations.
And over time the list keeps growing! This is the first step in looking to manage those demands. Start by having staff take the Teacher Stress Survey-- 8 questions, from Rob Plevin at Need-Focused Teaching. If you want survey results that reflect only your district, copy the Google Forms survey and send it to only your own staff. After having staff take the survey, lead them through the Full Plate Exercise. |
Stress & Self Care
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Teacher stress is real. Learn about the research and what teachers can do to "save themselves."
Link to Teacher Stress page |
Depression
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Look for this message in the coming months.
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