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 human being already possesses, it’s not something you have to conjure up, you just have to learn how to access it.

Check out the links below to practice Mindfulness

The field of education can be difficult at times. t 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,/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 t 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!

~Anxiety & Worry~

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. 

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.