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.

The Value of a Camera-Optional Policy
Allowing students to choose whether to turn their camera on for online classes enables them to take ownership of their learning.
Alex Shevrin Venet
How to Maslow Before Bloom, All Day Long
Morning meetings are a good place to start, but what you really need is a toolkit of strategies to meet your students’ social and emotional needs all day long.
Tom Berger
What Teens Say They Need, and How Schools Can Adjust
Students say they want a voice in the big education decisions that affect their lives—and their top concerns are backed by plenty of research.
Sarah Gonser
Trauma is ‘Written Into Our Bodies’—but Educators Can Help
Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California’s first surgeon general, on the impact of multigenerational adversity, SEL in the classroom, and the transformational powers of meditation.
Stephen Merrill
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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
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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.
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
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
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
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60-Second Strategy: Snowball Toss
A quick, fun classroom activity fosters open dialogue while releasing pent-up energy.
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How to Respond When a Student Acts Out
Research shows that disciplining a child when they’re in the middle of an emotional outburst isn’t effective. Try these strategies instead.
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
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
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

Mental Health

.css-1sk4066:hover{background:#d1ecfa;}The Value of a Camera-Optional Policy

.css-1enhq53:hover{background-color:#d1ecfa;}Making Students Feel Safe

The Value of a Camera-Optional Policy

Making Students Feel Safe