22/03/2021
1. Make mental health care a priority for your staff.
First and foremost, mental health and wellness best practices must be incorporated into training programs early enough in teacher education. It’s up to higher education and state certification boards to take the lead in establishing these programs, to ensure that mental health becomes a priority in our schools and that all teachers are provided the resources they need to succeed and stay healthy.
There’s a reason good teachers quit.
2. Seek out or develop resources, programs, and policies
District leaders also have a role to play in establishing mental health and wellness cultures in schools across the country. As a second step, school systems need to invest in the mental, physical, and social health of their most valuable asset–their teachers. By recognizing and rewarding teachers for all that they do (even the ‘little’ things), encouraging the use of small groups and counseling, and prioritizing mental well-being, administrators can have a dramatic, positive impact on the lives of their teachers.
3. Frame ‘mental health’ in your own mind in a healthy way
Don’t call it ‘mental health’ if a phrase like ‘well-being’ makes more sense.
4. Grow a healthy PLAN
A strong professional learning network–both inside and outside of the school building.
