Resources for Educators
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental disorders among children are described as serious changes in the way children typically learn, behave, or handle their emotions, which cause distress and problems getting through the day. Supporting your students and advocating for mental health programming in your school and district are essential to ensure that children and adolescents with mental illnesses are identified, assessed, and provided with appropriate interventions so they can be successful in the classroom.
Supporting Students’ Mental Health
NAMI Charlotte’s Ending the Silence – NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition. Ending the Silence is offered free of cost to schools and communities upon request and can be delivered in less than an hour. NAMI Ending the Silence can be delivered for Students, for School Staff or for Parents/Families. Request a presentation.
What Educators Should Know – MentalHealth.gov provides resources for warning signs, accessing care, and ways educators can support the mental health of students in the classroom. Information available in Spanish.
Educator Self-Care – 61% of educators find work “always” or “often” stressful. This site offers a wealth of resources for educators, including tips for self-care and stress relief tips.
Tips for Teachers
- Create a way to check in on your students’ mental health.
- Create a calm down corner where students can go when they need to regulate their emotions.
- Encourage students to practice positive coping skills in the classroom and at home.
Crisis and Behavior Interventions
PBIS World – Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) has resources to equip educators with tools for addressing behaviors through a prevention-oriented structure. Information available in Spanish.
Crisis Prevention Institute – Evidence-based de-escalation and crisis prevention training for the classroom and beyond.
Suicide Prevention for Educators
The Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention is American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s comprehensive guide to developing a district policy on suicide prevention.
QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training - Can be delivered to teachers and staff or high school students and parents in less than 2 hours, covering recognition of mental health crisis warning signs and how to Question, Persuade and Refer someone to help if you see those signs.
After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools – Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s comprehensive toolkit to guide schools in the aftermath of a suicide.