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Mental Health & Wellness is Important!
Mental Health & Wellness is Important!
As we manage all that the last few years have brought us, we are reminded that our students, our co-workers, and even ourselves have been through a lot! It is important to take care of yourself and take time to breathe and relax. This page is designed to provide a one-stop location for information on Mental Health & Wellness for you and those around you. Take a look and check back often as we update monthly!!
As we manage all that the last few years have brought us, we are reminded that our students, our co-workers, and even ourselves have been through a lot! It is important to take care of yourself and take time to breathe and relax. This page is designed to provide a one-stop location for information on Mental Health & Wellness for you and those around you. Take a look and check back often as we update monthly!!
Mental Health Topic of the Month - Mindfulness
Mental Health Topic of the Month - Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are, aware of what we’re doing, and not be overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.
Mindfulness is a way to be open and aware of what is happening in the moment—being present both internally and externally. Mindfulness has been shown to improve relationship satisfaction, reduce stress in relationships, and increase empathy. Mindful practices can also help reduce internal stress and anxiety.
Mindfulness is a quality that every person already possesses, it’s not something you have to conjure up, you just have to learn how to access it.
What is Mindfulness?
What is Mindfulness?
Watch this video to learn more.
Watch this video to learn more.
Check out the links below to practice Mindfulness
Check out the links below to practice Mindfulness
Let's Explore Some Common Emotions that Staff & Students Share
Let's Explore Some Common Emotions that Staff & Students Share
The field of education can be difficult at times. It is important to remember that people may feel overwhelmed and experience a range of emotions to include worry, anger, or sadness that just seems to not go away. Anxiety is a normal and healthy emotion that we all have. Sometimes, this worry is out of balance and we feel it to the point where it interferes with our life. It impacts our education, our relationships with friends, family, and co-workers and can even contribute to medical issues due to an imbalance of stress hormones. Anger can also be the root of many other social, emotional, and behavioral concerns. Anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions. We all feel it! It is normal! It is natural! It can be healthy! However, the way in which we express or perceive anger can be problematic. Sometimes, we do not know how to express our anger or respond to the anger of other people. Think about how anger impacts you and those around you. Use the resources below to help learn more information on recognizing and addressing anger personally and professionally, learn about what stress, anxiety, and worry are and strategies to manage them.
The field of education can be difficult at times. It is important to remember that people may feel overwhelmed and experience a range of emotions to include worry, anger, or sadness that just seems to not go away. Anxiety is a normal and healthy emotion that we all have. Sometimes, this worry is out of balance and we feel it to the point where it interferes with our life. It impacts our education, our relationships with friends, family, and co-workers and can even contribute to medical issues due to an imbalance of stress hormones. Anger can also be the root of many other social, emotional, and behavioral concerns. Anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions. We all feel it! It is normal! It is natural! It can be healthy! However, the way in which we express or perceive anger can be problematic. Sometimes, we do not know how to express our anger or respond to the anger of other people. Think about how anger impacts you and those around you. Use the resources below to help learn more information on recognizing and addressing anger personally and professionally, learn about what stress, anxiety, and worry are and strategies to manage them.
There is help and hope for staff!
There is help and hope for staff!
~Anger Management~
~Anger Management~
Click the video to the right to explore early warning signs of anger. Click the video below to learn more about the "hidden" triggers of anger.
Click the video to the right to explore early warning signs of anger. Click the video below to learn more about the "hidden" triggers of anger.
Anger is often perceived to come out of nowhere. This is a common misconception. Anger is never "just anger". Click the link below to learn about the cycle of anger.
So, you may be thinking that you know what anger is and you know how to recognize it . . . but, do you know what to do with it? How to manage it? How to not let it impact you? Check out this TedTalk and the Tame Your Temper Link for helpful tips!
Do you wonder if your anger is out of control? Use the buttons below to do a self-check!
~Anxiety & Worry~
~Anxiety & Worry~
Students and Staff BOTH experience Anxiety & Worry
Students and Staff BOTH experience Anxiety & Worry
Take a look at the videos below to learn a little more about how to cope with anxiety as a teacher and to learn about students with anxiety and what they wish their teachers understood.
Take a look at the videos below to learn a little more about how to cope with anxiety as a teacher and to learn about students with anxiety and what they wish their teachers understood.
This video helps show some strategies that teachers can use to help their students struggling with anxiety.
This video helps show some strategies that teachers can use to help their students struggling with anxiety.
Mindfulness is another activity one can do to calm and center ourselves. It relaxes the body and the mind. Mindfulness works for both students & staff. Try it out below!!
Professional Development On The Go!!
Professional Development On The Go!!
SMCPS has developed short presentations below (~10 minutes) designed to give staff some quick information to help with mental health & wellness. Take a peek when you have 10 minutes or so.
SMCPS has developed short presentations below (~10 minutes) designed to give staff some quick information to help with mental health & wellness. Take a peek when you have 10 minutes or so.
Many people are dealing with mental health and wellness issues. We have developed a Mental Health Media Room if you would like to learn more about different mental health conditions. The videos are short and you may find the information helpful for you, your family, your students, etc. Take a peek when you feel like learning!
~Self-Care~
~Self-Care~
Are you feeling stressed? Try using our SMCPS Calming Room below to help relax. Take a few minutes to explore and find what helps you calm!
Are you feeling stressed? Try using our SMCPS Calming Room below to help relax. Take a few minutes to explore and find what helps you calm!
~Depression Awareness~
~Depression Awareness~
Depression Awareness and Support is vital. How do you know if your students are depressed? How do you know if you are depressed? Take a look at the videos, documents, and links below to help you understand the warning signs and when to seek help.
Depression Awareness and Support is vital. How do you know if your students are depressed? How do you know if you are depressed? Take a look at the videos, documents, and links below to help you understand the warning signs and when to seek help.
Use the button above to take a smart screener for behavioral health wellness. This is a great way to check in on yourself. Just try it!
Use the button above to take a smart screener for behavioral health wellness. This is a great way to check in on yourself. Just try it!
depression-info-sheet.pdfIn addition to being mindful about our own mental health and wellness, SMCPS is also tasked with helping our students. Here are some helpful videos and information about child and teen depression.
In addition to being mindful about our own mental health and wellness, SMCPS is also tasked with helping our students. Here are some helpful videos and information about child and teen depression.
Our students are also at risk of getting into unhealthy relationships. Sometimes, teachers and staff are the first to notice. Look below for some helpful information and tips.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention
Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention
This issue impacts everyone, not just teens. Parents, students, staff, and communities are all impacted. Together, we can raise awareness and provide support to our students and encourage healthy relationships. Check out the resources below for more information.
Sometimes, we realize that we or someone we know may need more support and resources to manage their struggles. Below are some great options to help support mental health concerns.
Sometimes, we realize that we or someone we know may need more support and resources to manage their struggles. Below are some great options to help support mental health concerns.
The St. Mary's County Health Department also has Behavioral Health Prevention Resources on their website. This includes information on some local initiatives such as Suicide Prevention, Opioid Misuse, Vaping Prevention, and Underage Drinking Prevention. Please check them out HERE.
The St. Mary's County Health Department also has Behavioral Health Prevention Resources on their website. This includes information on some local initiatives such as Suicide Prevention, Opioid Misuse, Vaping Prevention, and Underage Drinking Prevention. Please check them out HERE.
SMCPS also provides numerous links to vaping resources. Check out our SMCPS School Health Council's Vaping/Tobacco Free google site! Find it HERE
SMCPS also provides numerous links to vaping resources. Check out our SMCPS School Health Council's Vaping/Tobacco Free google site! Find it HERE
St. Mary's County Health Department has great access to Mental & Behavioral Health Resources. Take a look to know what's out there!
Did you know that there is a website for Educators??
Click Here to Take a Look
Emergency mental and behavioral health needs are best met by accessing community-based supports. If you feel you or someone you know may harm themselves or others, please use the following resources directly:
Call 911 in case of an emergency
Call 211, Option 1 (MD 211 Helpline)
Call 988 - National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Text 988- Suicide Prevention Hotline
Call 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233)
For non-emergency mental and behavioral health needs, the following tele-health resource guide, developed by the St. Mary’s County Health Department, provides a list of available support in our community.
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