Classroom Mental Health: Wellness Strategies For Students (and . - EVERFI

Classroom Mental Health:Wellness Strategies for Students (and Teachers!)

SpeakersRoss SzaboMichelle SircyWellness Director, GeffenAcademy at UCLACounselor SpecialistJefferson CountyPublic SchoolsZach WagnerVice PresidentK-12 Curriculum DevelopmentEVERFI2

Agenda1Overview: What do we mean by“Mental Wellness”?2Ross Szabo: Mental WellnessFoundations3Michelle Sircy: EducatorLessons in Mental Wellness4Practices for Educators5Resources for Students

(Re)Defining Mental Health5

(Re)Defining Mental HealthReactive - Focused onillnessThese words get waytoo much emphasis6

(Re)Defining Mental HealthProactive - Focusedon wellness7

What is Mental Health?According to the World Health Organization, mental healthis defined as a state of well-being in which every individualrealizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normalstresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and isable to make a contribution to her or his community.

Ross SzaboWellness DirectorGeffen Academy at UCLA

Bringing Mental Wellness into your ClassroomReframe Mental HealthMental health is not aproblem. Think ofmental health likephysical health. Youcan improve andstrengthen them boththrough your actions.Focus on YourselfTaking care of yourown mental health isan opportunity tomodel positiveself-care for studentsand support your ownwell-being.Support YourStudentsEstablish a classroomenvironment thatpositively supportsmental health andsupport your studentsindividually whenneeded.Combat StigmaModel positive mentalhealth messaging andhabits while activelyspeaking out againstfalse or misleadingunderstandings ofmental health.

Bringing Mental Wellness into your ClassroomReframe Mental Health1.Proactive, not reactive2.It can always be improved3.“Help” is not a dirty word

Bringing Mental Wellness into your ClassroomReframe Mental HealthFocus on YourselfModel good mental healthpractices, and.vulnerabilitywith control.share your storyvsvulnerabilitywithout control

Bringing Mental Wellness into your ClassroomReframe Mental HealthFocus on YourselfSupport YourStudents Create a positivelearning environment Embed mental breaksthroughout the day Facilitate positivepeer relations in class Pay attention to themental well-being of yourstudents

Bringing Mental Wellness into your ClassroomReframe Mental HealthFocus on YourselfSupport YourStudentsMental Health SpectrumAble toBalanceDifficult toBalanceNeed Helpto BalanceNeedsConstantAssistance toBalanceUnable toBalance

Bringing Mental Wellness into your ClassroomReframe Mental Health Focus on YourselfTalk openly about mental healthBe conscious of languageShow compassion for those withmental illnessEncourage equality betweenphysical and mental illnessChoose empowerment over shameDon’t harbor self-stigmaSupport YourStudentsCombat Stigma

Bringing Mental Wellness into your ClassroomReframe Mental HealthMental health is not aproblem. Think ofmental health likephysical health. Youcan improve andstrengthen them boththrough your actions.Focus on YourselfTaking care of yourown mental health isan opportunity tomodel positiveself-care for studentsand support your ownwell-being.Support YourStudentsEstablish a classroomenvironment thatpositively supportsmental health andsupport your studentsindividually whenneeded.Combat StigmaModel positive mentalhealth messaging andhabits while activelyspeaking out againstfalse or misleadingunderstandings ofmental health.

Michelle SircyCounselor SpecialistJefferson County Public Schools

Learning to be Comfortable with our DiscomfortWhat challenges do teachers face in feeling well-prepared totalk about mental wellness? The Pressure to Know Everything Preserving Your Own Mental Health Secondary Trauma18

Teachers: The First Line of DefenseFirst and foremost, relationships matter.Understanding Warning Signs- Each child is different. A warning sign for one student may not be foranother.- Take note when thoughts, emotions, or behaviors:- Last longer than is typical for them- Are more intense than usual- Or stop them from completing daily tasks as they typically would19

Teaching Resilience Coping StrategiesWhat are ways to help students cope and take mental health breaks? Learning to understand and manage stress Seeing warning signs in yourself and others Taking breaks from social media Teaching breathing techniques Offering naturally calming physical spaces20

Calming Physical Spaces Make the Space–Offer dedicated areas formindfulness in your school orclassroom Dim the Lights–Easy and surprisingly calming Set the Tone:–Offer visual reminders and cuesPhoto by Laura Morton

Mental BreaksClasswide Mental Break Ideas Breathing Techniques Candy Senses Reflection Activity–––What does it look like?What is the texture like?What does it feel like on your teeth? Regular Journaling

The Power of PeersHow can educators empowerstudents to advocate forthemselves and others? Sources of Strength23

Mental WellnessPractices for Educators

Talk Yourself UpPositive self-talk makes you feel goodabout yourself and the things that are goingon in your life. It’s like having an optimisticvoice in your head that always looks on thebright side.Examples: ‘I am doing the best I can’, ‘‘If Idon’t make it through this grading tonight,it’s not the end of the world”courtesy of Reachout.com25

Be Compassionate to YourselfImagine a student schedule that looked like this: No time to eat, drink or use the bathroom No opportunity to connect with friends Only focusing on work regardless of what is happening inpersonal life. (Just get work done- we don’t have time totalk through what is going on!) No exercise No fun!Is this an optimal schedule for students?

Bolster Your Mental Health FoundationsHealthyHabits Stretch and moveonce an hour Eat lunch! Healthy snacks onhand Breathe & relax itiveMindset Identify emotions Offer help Growth Mindset Practicemindfulness Ask for help Reframe yourthoughts Transitionintentionally Stay positive inthe teacher’slounge Maintainfriendshipsoutside of school Keep things inperspective You’ve got this!27

Mental WellnessResources for Students

Additional Resourcessamhsa.gov Substance Abuse andMental HealthServicesAdministration Federal resources andlinks to externalresourcesnimh.nih.gov National Institute ofMental Health Resources on data,diagnoses, andtreatment.jedfoundation.org Suicide prevention Find help and getinvolved

MentalWellness BasicsGrade Level: 8th-10thTotal Lessons: 4 lessons, approximately 40 minutesAligns with K-12 National Health Education Standards(NHES) as well as Common Core Literacy Standards (CCSS).At-a-GlanceWe all must work on maintaining mental health especially during challengingtimes. This course provides learners with the knowledge and skills necessaryto build, maintain and promote positive mental health. By helping all studentsdevelop a positive mindset, and normalizing the discussion of mental healthconcerns, this course reduces stigma and empowers students to helpthemselves and others.Course Highlights Four interactive modules with videos that promotelearning through practice. Offline activities that allow teachers and students to extendlearning as a class or individually.Course Topics Components that lead to mental health Strategies that help you cope with challenges Seeking treatment for self and others Symptoms and causes of mental disorders

Claim Your Accounteverfi.com/newteacherRegisterStudent Find Your State Enter Your SchoolK12 TeacherNext

Implementation SupportYour Local Schools Manager Support Specific to your District Deep Understanding of StateStandards Alignment and RegionalUsage Dedicated Training and ProfessionalDevelopment

Questions for our Panelists?

EDUCATION FOR THE REAL WORLD

Mental Wellness Action StepsCombatStigmaModel positive mental health messaging and habits while activelyspeaking out against false or misleading understandings of mentalhealth.Support YourStudentsFocus on YourselfReframe Mental HealthEstablish a classroom environment that positively supportsmental health and support your students individually whenneeded.Taking care of your own mental health is anopportunity to model positive self-care for studentsand support your own well-being.Mental health is not a problem. Think of mentalhealth like physical health. You can improve andstrengthen them both through your actions.

Reframe Mental HealthMental health is like your physical health. It’s not a problem. You don’t define your physical health only bydiseases; your mental health is not only about mental illness. You can improve it. Just as you can take actions to improve yourphysical health, there are actions you can take to improve your mentalhealth. Getting help is no big deal. If you are physically sick, going to the doctoris a no-brainer. Get treatment and get better. The same goes for yourmental health.Reframe Mental Health

Focus on YourselfTaking care of your own mental health firstbuilds your resilience to handle the challenges inyour life and career and gives you thewherewithal to help others.Model Good Mental Health Practices-Your students need to see it.You can talk about it too.The same is true for your mental health.Focus on YourselfReframe Mental Health

Focus on Yourself - Share Your StorySharing the story of your own mental health journey can involve how youhave dealt with stress, significant loss or even a mental disorder such asdepression. The important thing is to model how to do this effectively.Vulnerabilitywithout control.vs.Vulnerabilitywith control.

Support Your StudentsSupporting the mental health of yourstudents can come in many forms. Butremember that you are not responsiblefor someone else’s mental well-being.Support YourStudentsIn Practice: Create a positive learningenvironment Facilitate positive peerrelations in class Embed mental breaksthroughout the day Pay attention to the mentalwell-being of your studentsFocus on YourselfReframe Mental Health

Recognizing Balance

Combat StigmaEach of these Mental Wellness ActionSteps contributes to fighting stigma. CombatStigma Support YourStudentsFocus on Yourself Reframe Mental HealthCombating mental health stigma startswith education and recognition that itis a part of all of our lives.Your students may have moreexperience or familiarity with mentalhealth and mental disorders than youknow. It is always good to start withunderstanding where they are beforestarting a conversation or unit ofstudy.Your modeling of the approach andlanguage you use can help fight stigmain and outside of your class.

Mental Wellness Action StepsCombatStigmaModel positive mental health messaging and habits while activelyspeaking out against false or misleading understandings of mentalhealth.Support YourStudentsFocus on YourselfReframe Mental HealthEstablish a classroom environment that positively supportsmental health and support your students individually whenneeded.Taking care of your own mental health is anopportunity to model positive self-care for studentsand support your own well-being.Mental health is not a problem. Think of mentalhealth like physical health. You can improve andstrengthen them both through your actions.

Reframe Mental Health Mental health is not a problem. Think of mental health like physical health. You can improve and strengthen them both through your actions. Focus on Yourself Taking care of your own mental health is an opportunity to model positive self-care for students and support your own well-being. Support Your Students Establish a .