#NAESPchat Recap: Student Mental Health

Student mental health is a top priority—and a challenge—for educators nationwide. Children need coping skills and tools to overcome obstacles they face as kids and to lead healthy lives as adults.

We posed eight questions to the education community during a recent Twitter chat. Here are the top responses for each questions.

1. What’s your school’s No. 1 challenge when it comes to student mental wellbeing?

A1. Supporting students who have experienced trauma and the impact of trauma on their behaviors and interactions. The need for everyone to understand RTI in order to support every child. Support of a full-time clinical psychologist at our school. @NAESP #NAESPchat

— TKAnderson, Ed.D. (@tkanderson43) December 11, 2019

A1: We have a very transient population- and struggle to move in a timely fashion to get the right resources for the students who need a specific intervention or specialist. #NAESPchat

— Erica (McCabe) Natalicchio (@EricaMcCabe4) December 11, 2019

A1: Being proactive! It has been a challenge to do the front loading neccessary to give kids tools and resources to build on. This is the 1st year I have had a full time social worker to collaborate with. Huge difference! #NAESPChat pic.twitter.com/espnYQ0Mru

— Steve Chisik (@schisik) December 11, 2019

2. How do you implement SEL programs on a budget?

A2: By embedding SEL universally through our PBIS framework & using ASAP & data sources to id ss who need tiered supports, we address whole school SEL throughout the day & utilize targeted sgi to teach skills, remediate deficits & address tier 2 ss & tier 3 ss #naespchat

— Director of SEL and Behavior Support (@RSD_SEL) December 11, 2019

A2. Strong SEL programs don’t necessarily cost a lot, but they require lots of layers. Whole school initiatives (like restorative practices); small group structures- focused on building resilience; and clear approaches to supporting chronic mental health challenges #NAESPChat

— Chris Wooleyhand,PhD (@principal64) December 11, 2019

A2: taking the time to provide this info to faculty during PD times & staff mtgs. Using experts in your school district to provide these trainings vs paying someone outside. #naespchat

— Michelle Fortunado-Kewin, LCSW, PPSC (@mfktherapy) December 11, 2019

3. How have you partnered with community organizations to expand mental health services offered to students?

A3: I’ve seen a lot of good partnerships that are well meaning but hard to scale. Schools need to be more open to tech options like telementhealth that can teach ALL kids when and where they need it. #NAESPchat

— Dillon Kalkhurst (@On_MissionTV) December 11, 2019

A3: Hospital foundations for mental health program fiscal support + tech companies to suppor digital school safety #naespchat https://t.co/rWGyvtjbfZ

— Casey Agena (@AgenaCasey) December 11, 2019

A3. Situated on a military base, we have partnered with military funded social workers and have space for them to meet with families #NAESPChat

— Chris Wooleyhand,PhD (@principal64) December 11, 2019

4. What tools do you need to be better equipped as you work toward preventing shootings?

A4: I know that we’re in talks with @sandyhook to figure out best supports in addressing this. We also need to discuss gun safety & decreasing access to gun esp for our youth. #naespchat

— Michelle Fortunado-Kewin, LCSW, PPSC (@mfktherapy) December 11, 2019

A4. Wow! That’s a complex question. The relationship between schools, families, local police, and mental health providers is where you have to start, but there are no guarantees. #NAESPChat

— Chris Wooleyhand,PhD (@principal64) December 11, 2019

A4. People to clearly hearthe voice of experts like @AstorAvi & act on their recommendations. #schoolsocialwork #NAESPchat

— Stephanie Ochocki (@docochock) December 11, 2019

5. What are a few telltale signs that a student is suffering from depression or anxiety?

A5. Trauma impacted schools = all schools. #schoolsocialwork #NAESPchat

— Stephanie Ochocki (@docochock) December 11, 2019

A5: love this question! Fight, Flight or Freeze! Some students may elope from the classroom or building, others may hide under the desk (flight), put there heads down/sleep (freeze) or become angry and defiant (fight). #naespchat

— Erica (McCabe) Natalicchio (@EricaMcCabe4) December 11, 2019

A5. Offering ongoing professional development on trauma sensitive interventions and vicarious trauma is also vital to support school staff throughout the year. #NAESPchat https://t.co/26Vo40nXHT

— Christy McCoy (@christymccoy07) December 11, 2019

6. How do you make sure LGBTQ+ and minority students and students with disabilities feel supported and safe?

A6. It starts with a commitment to developing strong relationships based on respect, trust, and a willingness to learn about each other; it also relies on principals who are personally evolved enough to foster high expectations for equity & fairness for ALL #NAESPChat

— Chris Wooleyhand,PhD (@principal64) December 11, 2019

A6: this includes makin sure info is translated in various languages. Our posters showcase students w/ different abilities, ages, races, etc. we have different pride flags in the school. We also tell students about their right to safety #naespchat #schoolsocialwork

— Michelle Fortunado-Kewin, LCSW, PPSC (@mfktherapy) December 11, 2019

A6. Again it is about knowing your students well and making sure they feel connected. We need to focus extra on historically marginalized students to make sure no student is allowed to slip through the cracks. #NAESPchat

— Jay Nichols (@jaynicholsvpa) December 11, 2019

7. How do you support grieving students—especially during the holidays?

A7: local Hospice centers offer grief groups for children during the holiday breaks and summer- giving the families the resources so they can do as they please. #naespchat

— Erica (McCabe) Natalicchio (@EricaMcCabe4) December 11, 2019

A7. That’s a very personal challenge that requires an understanding of the family’s wishes. Not every family wants the same thing, so again, communication is key and respecting their wishes is critical #NAESPChat

— Chris Wooleyhand,PhD (@principal64) December 11, 2019

A7. Good question. Holidays are a time of great sorrow for many families. I think letting your students know how much you care about them is fundamental. Remember, “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” #NAESPchat

— Jay Nichols (@jaynicholsvpa) December 11, 2019

8. Teachers are often on the front lines with student mental health. How can principals support them to help prevent burnout?

A8: creating wellness events related to self care for teachers. My team & I had a salad bar & other goodies for teachers. A teacher trained in yoga offered to run a class for staff #NAESPchat

— Michelle Fortunado-Kewin, LCSW, PPSC (@mfktherapy) December 11, 2019

A8. As a school leader you need to attend to staff mental health, provide trainings on self-care too, it takes healthy adults to help kids be healthy mentally. Also, model self-care yourself. Be careful of second hand trauma #NAESPchat

— Jay Nichols (@jaynicholsvpa) December 11, 2019

A8: educating faculty & staff about burnout, vicarious trauma is important. If you have an EAP services thru the district, I’d ask if they provide workshops or support. Or talk to HR about what benefits & supports can be offered #NAESPchat

— Michelle Fortunado-Kewin, LCSW, PPSC (@mfktherapy) December 11, 2019

Add your best practices to support student mental health to the discussion and seek out others who are working to overcome the same challenges as you by searching #NAESPchat on Twitter.

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