Speaking of Teens
Episode#9: Is Your Teen’s School Helping or Hurting Their Mental Health?
Adolescent mental health has been in steady decline for years and we all know the pandemic was the cherry on top. Schools are in a prime position to help improve our teens’ mental health by integrating the right programs and services and eliminating harmful policies.
- Schools need more mental health professionals on staff
- Gaps should be filled by teachers educated in mental health issues and techniques to improve emotional regulation in their students
- Students should receive social and emotional training in addition to mental health education
- Schools should consider mental health days off for students that need it
- “Zero tolerance policies” and exclusionary discipline practices should be banished
- “Restorative practices” should be adopted to replace antiquated discipline practices that fill the school to prison pipeline
- We should rethink school resource officers who tend to turn regular disciplinary, and behavior matters into criminal offenses
Learn what studies and surveys say about these issues and how you can change things at your teen’s middle or high school and help all students increase their chances of better mental wellbeing.
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Access transcript here.
SCHOOL AND YOUTH STATISTICS
The Hopeful Futures Campaign: America’s School Mental Health Report Card
Hopeful Futures Campaign-Take Action
Mental Health America’s Survey: Young People’s Mental Health in 2020
TEACHER TRAINING
Mental Health First Aid for Adults
Classroom WISE for K-12 teachers
Kognito – implemented by school districts – teachers and staff, students and even parents and caregivers.
Signs Matter: Early Detection American foundation for suicide prevention
More Than Sad American foundation for suicide prevention (companion to Signs Matter)
QPR Online Gatekeeper Training also for suicide prevention
Speaking of Teens Episode #6 – Teaching Teens to Tame Their Emotions
EMOTION COACHING
Study on emotion coaching in schools
Somerset Emotion Coaching Project
Study on Emotion Coaching in Schools - UK
Emotion Coaching UK (training and videos)
TEEN MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING AND SEL
Mental Health First Aid for Teens
NAMI’s live/online program for middle and high schoolers – available for schools and Youth Groups at no charge (called “Ending the Silence”)
Kognito – implemented by school districts – teachers and staff, students and even parents and caregivers.
Interactive Map by CASEL – see your state’s SEL requirements for schools
EXCLUSIONARY, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES AND POLICE IN SCHOOLS
What Teachers Need to Know About Restorative Justice
Restorative Practices (Guide for Educators)
Great Overview and videos on Restorative Justice
Brookings Institute Report on Policing in Schools
Cops and No Counselors: How the Lack of School Mental Health Staff is Harming Students
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Great Resources for teachers and students from Mental Health Literacy in Canada
The Youth Mental Health Project a great list of resources and links for teens and families including crisis helplines
National Association of School Psychologists (resources to help advocate)