Module Introduction
The topics of trauma and mental health can be distressing. If you experience any trauma symptoms yourself as you review and/or discuss this material, please feel free to take time away from this topic and/or to seek support from a trusted individual.
While you will learn research-informed methods for responding to a mental health crisis in this module, you should not attempt to diagnose or treat a student if you aren’t a mental health professional. However, all adults who interact with children and youth can learn how to identify students in crisis and help them get connected to the professional support and resources they may need.
In this module we will explore:
- What constitutes a mental health crisis
- The warning signs of a mental health crisis in children and teens
- What to do if the crisis involves suicide
- How to de-escalate a crisis
- Health equity, disparities, and the role of race and poverty in mental health
- Connecting students to professional mental health help
- Resources to develop a school-wide crisis response plan and a mental health safety plan for students
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional development opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topic of "Addressing Trauma and Adversity: Supporting Student Mental Health".
Individual Exploration
The topics of trauma and mental health can be distressing. If you experience any trauma symptoms yourself as you review and/or discuss this material, please feel free to take time away from this topic and/or to seek support from a trusted individual.
Current Mental Health Trends for Children
The excerpt below is from Child Trends recent publication A National Agenda For Children’s Mental Health. Read the paragraph and then consider the reflection questions below:
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as one in five children had a diagnosed mental health disorder. While research on the pandemic’s effects on mental health is still in the early stages, current evidence shows a surge in anxiety and depression among children and adolescents since the pandemic began, including among young people of color and among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) youth. In addition, almost half of all parents report experiencing higher levels of stress during COVID-19, which increases their children’s risk for experiencing family adversity (e.g., child abuse and neglect, domestic violence) and related mental health problems.” (Child Trends, 2021)
Reflection
- In what ways have you personally noticed an increase in students struggling with what appear to be mental health challenges?
- In what ways have you, your school, or organization been working to support students in crisis?
- Does your school or organization have a protocol for supporting students in crisis? What is your school’s protocol?
Strategies for Educators to Support Students in Crisis
The presentation below, Mental Health Crisis Intervention, offers steps and strategies for educators around noticing when students may be exhibiting signs of a mental health crisis and how to respond. Please be aware this presentation discusses youth suicide.
Mental Health Crisis Intervention: Steps and Strategies for Educators
Reflection
- What was new to you or surprised you about the data or strategies shared in the presentation?
- What is the contact information for the mental health personnel and crisis resources in your school, district, or city easily accessible?
- Do you feel up-to-date on the specifics of your responsibilities as a mandated reporter?
- How could information about student mental health be shared as part of family community engagement strategy?
- What would you like to learn about supporting a student in crisis that was not covered in the presentation? How might you make a plan to find that information?
5.5 Brainstorming A Network of Supports for Students in Crisis
Let’s brainstorm networks for supporting students in crisis. Here is a downloadable reflection page to help you.
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional development opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topic of "Addressing Trauma and Adversity: Supporting Student Mental Health".
A reflection activity to help you brainstorm networks for supporting students in crisis.
Group Facilitation
The topics of trauma and mental health can be distressing. If you experience any trauma symptoms yourself as you review and/or discuss this material, please feel free to take time away from this topic and/or to seek support from a trusted individual.
Before facilitating groups, spend time in individual exploration in order to experience and embody the learning. And if you haven’t yet explored our introduction to SEL in California, make sure you explore those resources.
When facilitating groups, use the following resources:
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional development opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topic of "Addressing Trauma and Adversity: Supporting Student Mental Health".
A revisable, turnkey powerpoint slide deck to use for professional learning sessions on the topic of "Addressing Trauma and Adversity: Supporting Student Mental Health".
A powerpoint slide deck with welcoming and closing activities to include in professional learning sessions.
A reflection activity to help you brainstorm networks for supporting students in crisis.
Additional Modules
Addressing Trauma and Adversity: Supporting Student Mental Health
- Module 5.1 Defining and Understanding Trauma and Adversity
- Module 5.2 Recognizing the Signs of Childhood Trauma and Adversity
- Module 5.3 Creating Healing-Centered Environments
- Module 5.4 Developmental and Other Strategies for Healing
- Module 5.5 Mental Health Crisis Intervention: Steps and Strategies
Do you want to dive deeper into the science behind our GGIE practices? Enroll in one of our online courses for educators!
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