So How Can Teachers Help?
As you all know, teaching is more than showing up each day, teaching context, and going home. Teaching means acting in the role of parents, counselors, disciplinarians, tutors, and more! It means spending many hours in meetings, calling parents, advising a club, creating lesson plans, grading papers, and much more. So when a student is facing mental health challenges, how do you fit that into a school day that is already jammed packed? Hopefully with the help from these resources, addressing mental health can become a little bit easier!
General Tips for Teachers
Educate yourself of mental health. This may include signs and symptoms on mental health diagnosis
Educate students on mental health
Offer a flexible classroom culture
Allow accommodations for students when necessary
Send healthy messages to students
Ask a student how they feel when you notice a change in behavior
Seek the help of school counselors or psychologists
Allow your students to discuss troubling events at school or in the community
Encourage students to verbally describe their emotions
Participate if your own self-care!
Helping with ADHD
This video offers specific ways to help students who might be diagnosed with ADHD.
Helping a Teen with Depression
Although this video is tailored towards parents, I think it can also be helpful for teachers or for staff working with teens!
Helping with Autism Spectrum Disorder
