George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

Mental Health

Find compassionate perspectives and evidence-based strategies to foster school environments that promote psychological well-being and support students experiencing behavioral, emotional, or social challenges.

  • Covid-19’s Impact on Students’ Academic and Mental Well-Being

    The pandemic has revealed—and exacerbated—inequities that hold many students back. Here’s how teachers can help.
    Youki Terada

  • How Children Process Grief and Loss Through Play

    Young children will likely process the tumultuous events of 2020 in the only way they know how—through play. Here’s how adults can be supportive.
    Emily Kaplan

  • Helping Students Through a Period of Grief

    Covid-19 has meant a lot of loss for students of all ages—with more loss likely to come. Teachers can engage and support them in processing their emotions.
    Becki Cohn-Vargas, Carlee Adamson

  • Making Students Feel Safe

    A trauma-informed approach ensures that students feel safe, supported, and nurtured—to improve their chances of academic success. 

  • When Students Are Traumatized, Teachers Are Too

    Trauma in students’ lives takes an emotional and physical toll on teachers as well. Experts weigh in on the best ways to cope.
    Emelina Minero

  • A De-escalation Exercise for Upset Students

    A simple technique that takes just a few minutes can help an agitated student regain the state of mind needed for learning.
    Daniel Vollrath

  • A Daily Support System for Students

    Students who need extra social and emotional support have a quick check-in with an adult at the start and end of each day.

  • Understanding Trauma-Informed Education

    The principal of an internationally recognized trauma-informed school explains what this form of education is—and what it isn’t.
    Mathew Portell

  • 60-Second Strategy: Snowball Toss

    A quick, fun classroom activity fosters open dialogue while releasing pent-up energy.

  • 22 YA Novels to Help Students Process the Pandemic (or Forget It for a Bit)

    A former school librarian shares recent young adult novels to boost kids’ resilience or give them some laughs. A few dystopian picks may provide a new perspective on the current situation.
    Terri Grief

  • DIY Ways to Meet a Child's Sensory Needs at Home

    Occupational therapists and trauma-informed teachers weigh in on how to create sensory tools and spaces with what you have at home.
    Emelina Minero, Nora Fleming

  • Simple Metacognitive Strategies to Help Anxious Learners Succeed

    Anxiety and learning go hand in hand, but research suggests that simple activities focused on self-talk and metacognitive reflection can create calmer, more focused learners.
    Youki Terada

  • As Teen Stress Increases, Teachers Look for Answers

    Seventy percent of teens say stress is a major problem. Research backs that up—and teachers are beginning to offer solutions.
    Andrew Simmons

  • The How and Why of Trauma-Informed Teaching

    In an extraordinary Twitter chat, educators discuss building trauma-informed social and emotional learning environments.
    Alex Shevrin Venet

  • Creating a Dedicated Space for Reflection

    Providing students with a quiet spot where they can calm themselves in times of stress helps them develop self-regulation.