(Chelsea Update would like to thank Kristin Krarup-Joyce, Ed. S. NCSP, Ellen Kent, Ed. S. NCSP and Emily Verbeke, Ed. S. NCSP for the information in this weekly column. If you have a question for one of the school psychologists, please email [email protected]. All information will be kept confidential.)
Here are a few ideas to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month:
Create a sense of belonging. Feeling connected and welcomed is essential to children’s positive adjustment.
Promote resilience. Adversity is a natural part of life and being resilient is important to overcoming challenges and good mental health. Connectedness, competency, helping others, and successfully facing challenges can foster resilience.
Develop competencies. Achieving academic success and developing individual talents and interests helps children feel competent. Social competency is also important.
Teach and reinforce positive behaviors and decision making. Provide consistent expectations and support. Provide positive feedback when they are successful. This validates and reinforces behaviors or accomplishments that are valued by others.
Encourage helping others. Pro-social behaviors build self-esteem, foster connectedness, reinforce personal responsibility, and present opportunities for positive recognition.
Encourage good physical health. Good physical health supports good mental health. Healthy eating, exercise, and adequate sleep protect kids against the stress of tough situations.
Click here for ideas and resources on how to support young people with emotional challenges.
Visit Speak up for Kids 2015 to learn more about mental health and ways to make a difference in our community. Check out text talk act . Gather 3-4 teens. Text “start” to 89800. Talk with your group via text enabled questions. Be part of the change.
(Adapted from the National Association of School Psychologists.)
