Mental Health Primers

Teachers can assist students who are expressing anxiety by providing emotional support

Guidance for teachers to help keep students safe, healthy, and on the path to improved mental health

Teachers are encouraged to be change agents as opposed to passive bystanders when they encounter race-based hate speech

Teachers play an important role in guiding students suffering from excessive stress to professionals in the building who can be of assistance

Teachers can assist students who are expressing sadness by providing emotional support, promoting positive peer relationships, and connecting students with other professionals

Teachers can help students who are not confident in themselves or who are afraid to make a mistake to build their feelings of confidence

Inattention and distractibility may be distressing to teachers, but teachers can play an effective role in helping students focus and when necessary refer students to professionals

Teachers can help students who have experienced a crisis such as a natural disaster, loss of a close family member, or witnessing violence

Teachers are critical contributors to promoting safe school interactions and promoting positive relationships

Teachers are critical in establishing welcoming and safe environments, setting expectations for student interactions, and modeling inclusive language, which continues to evolve over time

Teachers play a critical role in guiding students suffering from trauma which if left unaddressed can disrupt a student’s behavior, and emotional wellbeing, academic success and health