“Any of us in the classroom—or connected to it in some way—clearly see the need to support our students’ mental health,” says Larry Ferlazzo, an English and social studies teacher at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, Calif., writing in Education Week. In the article he elicits strategies from experienced educators.
Here are nine strategies to support student mental health:
Strategy 1 – Be proactive in addressing the issue
“In my 48 years working in public education, I have never seen conditions as challenging for students’ mental health as these. This issue is an acute concern for all the schools and districts I am privileged to collaborate with,” says Ron Berger, who has nearly 50 years of experience in education, 28 of them as a public school teacher.
“There is no single strategy to address the problem. Every student in crisis has a different story. The schools I admire most do everything they can to address the upstream issue to prevent a crisis, cultivating relationships and a community of care and support…
“Structures and practices that cultivate positive student identities and relationships in school take time and commitment. For example, schools may prioritize nursing and counseling services in their staffing model to make sure that all students have easy access to therapeutic support before things get too difficult.
”Schools may prioritize close family-school partnerships. Parents are welcome in the school, play key roles in the school, and home visits are a regular practice, not simply conducted in crisis situations. Schools may also prioritize relationship-building structures such as buddy programs, mentor programs, adventure programs, service programs, and advisory programs (morning and closing meetings in elementary school, small daily advisory meetings in secondary school).
“All of the structures and practices that support a healthy school community… are not enough to catch every mental health problem. But when we support all students carefully upstream, fewer students downstream will feel that they are drowning.”
“Here are some of the best ways I’ve found to support students’ mental health, along with resources that can help implement these strategies,” says Craig Aarons-Martin, CEO of CCM Education Group and a former a prekindergarten through 5th grade principal and later as a superintendent and executive director of a P-8 school in Boston.
Strategy 2 – Give explicit instruction in Social-Emotional Learning
“Schools must incorporate daily doses of SEL, making it an integral part of the curriculum. Set dedicated time focused on student well-being. Students can learn to manage emotions, set positive goals, show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Strategy 3 – Create community and nurturing relationships
“Schools should organize activities that foster strong relationships among students, teachers, and staff. This can be achieved through classroom sessions or restorative circles that provide a platform for students to voice their opinions, share their experiences, and feel heard. These circles help manage conflicts and empower students to advocate for themselves and develop self-efficacy. relationships.
Strategy 4 – Engage students in curriculum and staff
“It’s crucial for students to see themselves reflected in the curriculum and their educators. A diverse teaching staff that includes BIPOC, queer, trans, and immigrant individuals can provide students with role models they can relate to. Representation in the curriculum and staff helps students feel seen and understood, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Strategy 5 – Offer comprehensive support systems
“Schools should employ counselors, clinicians, and in-home therapists to provide holistic support. This approach ensures that students have access to the necessary resources and guidance from the moment they wake up until they return home. Constant communication and support for students in the margins are critical to their mental well-being.
Strategy 6 – Promote growth mindset campaigns
“Celebrating growth over performance or perfection encourages students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persist in the face of setbacks. This mindset fosters resilience and a love for learning, contributing to a positive school culture.
Strategy 7 – Engage parents and the community
“Building strong partnerships with parents and the community is vital for supporting students’ mental health. Schools should engage in regular communication with parents, providing them with tools and strategies to support their children’s well-being at home. Involving community organizations can enhance the support network available to students, creating a more comprehensive approach to their mental health.
Strategy 8 – Provide voice and agency
“Empowering students by giving them a voice in their education and well-being is crucial. Providing opportunities for students to express themselves and make decisions about their learning fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility. This agency helps students develop confidence and the skills needed to navigate their relationships and challenges effectively.”
Strategy 9 – Take care of teachers
“Before every flight you take, we hear we need to put on our own oxygen tanks before we can put the masks on our loved ones. The same goes for our classrooms. We have to figure out how to take better care of our educators,” says Renee Jones, the 2023 Nebraska Teacher of the Year who teaches AVID and 9th grade English at Lincoln High School.
“If we know that relationships are the single most impactful strategy in the classroom, why are we not holding the same standard to support and take care of our educators? How can we expect our teachers to establish, maintain and hold meaningful relationships with our students if we are not doing the same to establish, maintain and hold relationships with them?
Education Week
