Students are experiencing mental health challenges at an unprecedented rate. The following resources will help school communities understand those challenges, factors that can buffer against them, and specific practices they can implement to honor those factors.
Mental Health Trend Cards
WHY IS IT CRITICAL FOR SCHOOLS TO FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH?
These cards explore current trends related to mental health in order to provoke thinking about the implications for schools.
Mental Health Lenses
HOW IS MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPED AND SUSTAINED?
This tool can help schools use three drivers of mental health as sharpening lenses for reflecting on and redesign their environments.
You can purchase professionally printed versions of the two resources above through Transcend’s online store.
Mental Health Practices Toolkit
WHAT CAN SCHOOLS DO TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH?
This toolkit contains information on eight practices that can help schools support mental health. Click on the icons below to see more on each practice.
Provide Multiple Tiers of Support
A multi-tiered approach uses data to monitor student mental health and well-being—as well as contributing factors—and provide evidence-based support.
Develop Social-Emotional Competencies
Building social and emotional competencies like self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship skills can support student mental health.
Foster Supportive Relationships
Supportive relationships with adults and peers buffer against stress, help students explore their identities, and support skill and mindset development.
Incorporate Physical Wellness
Learning environments can support mental health by also focusing on physical health.
Create a Safe School Environment
School communities can promote wellness and healthy development by providing an environment where students feel psychologically and physically safe.
Build Adult Capacity and Culture
This 2-pager offers research, guidance, and resources to begin building adults’ own social-emotional competence so they can maintain and model wellbeing for students.
Engage and Collaborate with Families
Forging partnerships between schools and families can reinforce the work being done by both.
Work with Community Partners
Schools can leverage community partnerships in order to ensure students receive opportunities and supports beyond what the school alone could provide.
