Is There a Student that you are Concerned about?
- Have they stopped making eye contact or saying hello when they board the bus or stop by the cafeteria?
- Do you notice a change in their appearance or do they look different when they come to the front office?
- Have they stopped participating in class or turning in their homework?
School staff are often the first people to notice even the smallest change in students. The information on this page will help you to recognize concerns and identify ways in which you can support students.
Students hope that you will notice and ask them about these subtle changes. A student will feel seen and visible. Because they matter, you ask the questions. They may be waiting for you to ask them what they need.
You Don't have to be a Mental Health Professional to Help.
"When students feel safe with their teachers, counselors, coaches and other adults at school, they are more likely to ask for help when they need it."
According to the article, University of San Diego - The Importance of Mental Health in Schools: A Guide for Educators building strong relationships between staff and students is a crucial first step for students to reach out for help.
Students need a safe trusted adult who is willing to be present, open to just listening and offers to connect them to someone on campus to find help.
You may never know if or why a student has chosen you as their safe trusted adult. By creating a safe supportive space and culture, a student may be more willing to speak up and reach out for needed support.
How Can School Staff Create a Supportive Culture for Students?
Creating a supportive classroom environment is crucial for fostering positive learning experiences and promoting students’ overall well-being. Creating a safe and supportive space makes students more likely to confide in school staff if they’re struggling.
Here are some strategies that can help educators recognize and respond to student mental health concerns:
- Establish a Rapport: Build positive relationships with your students by genuinely showing interest, care, and respect for each individual. Get to know their interests and strengths.
- Set Clear Expectations: Establish clear rules, routines, and guidelines for behavior and academic performance. Communicate these expectations consistently and reinforce positive behavior.
- Recognize Varying Learning Styles: Offer a variety of instructional strategies and resources to cater to diverse learning styles and abilities. Differentiate instruction to meet individual needs, and provide timely feedback to encourage growth and improvement.
- Foster a Growth Mindset: Encourage students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and believe in their ability to grow and succeed. Emphasize effort, persistence, and resilience as essential components of learning.
- Recognize and Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements, both academic and personal, of your students. Provide positive reinforcement, praise their efforts, and create a culture of appreciation.
- Involve Parents and Guardians: Maintain open lines of communication with parents or guardians and regularly update them on student progress. Do your best to involve them in their child’s education through conferences, newsletters, or other forms of communication.
- Promote Collaboration and Teamwork: Create opportunities for students to work together, collaborate on projects, and learn from one another. Foster a sense of community and teamwork within the classroom.
- Make Yourself Available Outside of Class: Some students may feel more comfortable confiding in a teacher outside of class time. You can set up “office hours” or designate your room as a “drop-in” room, where students can use a resource whenever they need.
How Can School Staff Recognize and Respond to Student Mental Health Concerns?
The ability to recognize and respond to student mental health concerns is a crucial responsibility for teachers and can make a significant impact on their overall well-being.
Here are some additional strategies from the Council for Exceptional Children that can help educators to improve student mental health in schools:
Familiarize Yourself With Common Signs
Teachers can familiarize themselves with common mental health concerns and the signs that they could be emerging to identify students who may be struggling.
- Common warning signs include significant behavior changes, withdrawal from social interactions, persistent sadness or irritability, difficulty concentrating, declining academic performance, and more.
- Please continue down the page for information to find additional warning signs for mental health concerns and suicide.
Maintain Open Communication
Always do your best to foster a supportive and trusting relationship with your students. Encourage open communication by creating a safe, non-judgmental space where students feel comfortable expressing their feelings and concerns.
- Regularly check in with your students and be attentive to any changes in their demeanor or behavior. Children may appreciate having a safe space at school.
Collaborate With Other School Professionals
As a teacher, it will be beneficial to establish a collaborative relationship with school counselors, psychologists, and other support staff to ensure a comprehensive approach to student well-being. They can provide valuable insights, assessments, and recommendations for students needing additional assistance.
- Never hesitate to reach out to your support team- school counselors, wellness coaches, mental health clinicians. Even if you aren’t sure if a student is having a significant issue, other professionals will have additional insight and can lead you in the right direction.
- After connecting with the support team member, it may be helpful to offer a warm handoff by introducing the student to the support staff so that they may continue to offer the student support.
Educate Yourself on Resources
Stay informed about emerging mental health resources and support services within your school or community.
Practice Empathy and Understanding
When students confide in you or exhibit signs of mental health concerns, responding with empathy and understanding is crucial.
- Listen actively, validate their experiences, and assure them that seeking help is a sign of strength.
- Offer support and reassurance that they are not alone in their struggles.
Remember: While teachers can play a vital role in recognizing and responding to student mental health concerns, they are not expected to diagnose or provide therapy. The goal is to create a caring and supportive environment that encourages students to seek help from trained professionals.
What are the Warning Signs to Recognize?
Warning Signs: Mental Health Concerns
Knowing the warning signs and recognizing emerging mental health concerns is important to ensure that students are able to access supports when in need of help.
Here are MHA Signs and Symptoms of MH Concerns to look for:
- Problems with concentration, memory or ability to think clearly
- Changes in appetite
- Feeling sad, empty, hopeless or worthless
- Loss of interest in things that they used to enjoy
- Excessive worry
- Irritability or restlessness
- Changes in sleep
- Angry outbursts
- Not wanting to be around people or take part in activities
- Hearing or seeing things that other people don't
- Extreme panic
- Onset of new behaviors or rituals that are repeated
- Mood swings or frequent shifts in energy
- Changes in how they dress (e.g., long pants and shirts in hot weather or hats all of a sudden could be signs of hiding signs of self-injury like hair pulling or cutting)
10 Common Warning Signs in Teens and Young Adults
Warning Signs: Suicide
According to the American Pediatric Association, most youth who die by suicide show some Warning Signs and Behavioral Changes. Here are some of the many common warning signs to look for:
- Talking about killing oneself, feeling hopeless, feeling like a burden or having no reason to live
- Mood changes, including depression, anxiety and agitation
- Behavioral changes:
- Increased substance use
- Withdrawing from activities
- Isolating from family and friends
- Sleeping too much or not enough
- Giving away prized possessions
- Irritability
🚨 If you or someone that you know is experiencing a psychiatric emergency, please dial 911 immediately.
📞 If you or someone that you know is struggling emotionally, experiencing an issue with drugs or alcohol, or having a hard time, please call or text 988 to connect with the San Diego Access and Crisis Line.
Where Can School Staff Learn More to Support Students?
Mental Health Webinars
The San Diego County Office of Education has created a series of webinars to offer psychoeducation on mental health needs and resources for school staff to facilitate support to students.
2024 Webinars
- Finding Balance Through the 8 Dimensions of Wellness (recording)
- Non-Suicidal Self Injury (recording)
2023 Webinars
- Depression and Anxiety: The Mental Health Challenges Facing Youth Today (recording / slides)
- Forming Stronger Relationships with Students and the School Community (recording / slides)
- Mental Health Webinar Series- Managing Anxiety in the School Setting (recording)
- The Real Deal: Connection Between Vaping, Cannabis Use, and Mental Health (recording / slides)
- What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders (recording / slides)
2022 Webinars
- Effective Stress Reduction Strategies to Help Prevent and Manage Burnout (recording / slides)
- Cultivating Connection: Stepping Stones for Building Healthy Relationships and Trust in the Classroom (recording / slides)
- Fostering Student Success: Helping Students Manage Stress and Anxiety (recording / slides)
- Creating an Inclusive Environment for All (recording / slides)
- A Deeper Look at Depression (recording / slides)
Supporting Staff Wellness
Where Can Staff Find Help?
"Healthy adults are better able to support students in need. When the adults in a school community are well, they have the emotional capacity, patience, and resilience required to foster a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for their students."
—National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE)
It is important that the adults who support students must also ensure that they are taking the steps to care for their own physical, emotional and mental health needs.
Self Care is often ignored and unattended to until we become overwhelmed to physically and emotionally function to our expectations. We may then become frustrated and unable to fully and effectively support others.
Please take a moment to review the resources available to all District staff to promote staff self care and support overall well being.
"Educators can't pour from an empty cup. Encourage practices that support teacher's mental health, such as providing access to counseling services and other wellness resources."
University of San Diego- The Importance of Mental Health in Schools: A Guide for Educators
California Schools VEBA (VEBA)
California Schools VEBA offers a variety of health care and wellness resources to District employees.
At a glance, here’s what you have access to as a member:
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VEBA Advocacy: Think of the VEBA Advocacy Team as your health care concierge. They provide support for scheduling appointments, bill payment, quality of care, and more. Available Monday-Friday from 8 am-5 pm PST at 888-276-0250 or fill out the contact form here.
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Care Navigation: VEBA Care Navigators are holistic nurses offering free, confidential services including health and well-being assessments, customized plans, and follow-up appointments to monitor progress.
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Kindbody: Fertility and Menopause Support: Kindbody offers end-to-end fertility services and menopause support through dedicated care navigation, clinical guidance, digital tools, and education for VEBA members.
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Whole Health Coaching: Whole Health Coaches help create personalized health plans based on individual needs, helping members identify goals, strengths, and values to achieve their health goals.
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Optum Emotional Well-being Dedicated Consultants: VEBA members have free, confidential access to Optum’s consultants, including support for improving relationships, navigating life events, leadership training, and work/life balance. Click here to create an Optum account and book your first appointment.
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Chiropractic/Acupuncture Benefits: Provided by Optum Health with over 2,700 California providers, offering unlimited visits (subject to medical necessity), authorized X-rays, 100% coverage for durable medical equipment (up to $50), and copays aligned with the member’s PCP office visit copay. Contact the VEBA Advocacy team at 888-276-0250 or fill out their contact form here to learn more.
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Expanded VEBA Resources: VEBA members have access to virtual, on-demand, and in-person wellness resources, including on-demand videos, cooking and nutrition classes, mental well-being, stress management, and movement classes. View our monthly class calendar here.
Want to learn more about the VEBA resources and programs? Log in to the MyVEBA portal or contact the VEBA Advocacy team: 888-276-0250 or fill out the contact form here. Available Monday-Friday from 8 am-5 pm PST.
Employee Assistance Program:
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential service designed to help employees resolve personal and workplace challenges. Available through Optum Health, the EAP provides professional, short-term, problem-focused counseling for a broad range of issues and concerns such as:
- Counseling Services
- Work Issues
- Emotional Well-Being
- Parenting
- Child and elder care support
- Substance Abuse and Recovery
- Money Management
- Financial and Legal Advice
Employees and dependents enrolled in a district medical plan are automatically enrolled for access to EAP services. This program provides five counseling visits per incident with a licensed/certified network therapist.
Services can be accessed either by phone or online. When accessing services online, you can check benefits information, submit an online request for services, search the directory of clinicians and access information for hundreds of everyday work and life issues.