mental health presentation for teachers

Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

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Resources for Students and Educators

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers a variety of learning resources for students and teachers about mental health and the brain. Whether you want to understand mental health challenges, promote emotional well-being in the classroom, or simply learn how to take care of your own mental health, our resources cover a wide range of topics to foster a supportive and informed learning environment. Explore videos, coloring books, and hands-on quizzes and activities to empower yourself and others on the journey to mental well-being.

You can also find additional educational resources about mental health and other topics on NIH’s STEM Teaching Resources website  .

Childhood Irritability : Learn about symptoms of irritability, why it's important to study irritability, NIMH-supported research in this area, and new treatments for severe irritability in youth.

Get to Know Your Brain: Your brain is an incredible and complex organ! It helps you think, learn, create, and feel emotions, and it controls every blink, breath, and heartbeat. Learn more about the parts of the brain and what each area helps control.

NIMH Deputy Director Dr. Shelli Avenevoli Discusses the Youth Mental Health Crisis: Learn about youth suicide, the effects of technology and the pandemic on the developing brain, and tips for supporting the mental health of youth.

Getting to Know Your Brain: Dealing with Stress: Test your knowledge about stress and the brain. Also learn how to create and use a “ stress catcher ” to practice strategies to deal with stress.

Coloring and activity books

Print or order these coloring and activity books to help teach kids about mental health, stress, and the brain. These are available in English and Spanish. 

Get Excited About Mental Health Research!

This free coloring and activity book introduces kids to the exciting world of mental health research.

Stand Up to Stress!

This free coloring and activity book teaches children about stress and anxiety and offers tips for coping in a healthy way.

Get Excited About the Brain!

This free coloring and activity book for children ages 8-12 features exciting facts about the human brain and mental health.

Quizzes and activities

Use these fun, hands-on activities in the classroom or at home to teach kids about mental health.

Teen Depression Kahoot! Quiz  

Engage students in fun and interactive competition as they learn about depression, stress and anxiety, self-care, and how to get help for themselves or others.

Stress Catcher

Life can get challenging sometimes, and it’s important for kids (and adults!) to develop strategies for coping with stress or anxiety. This printable stress catcher “fortune teller” offers some strategies children can practice and use to help manage stress and other difficult emotions.

Brochures and fact sheets

Below is a selection of NIMH brochures and fact sheets to help teach kids and parents about mental health and the brain. Additional publications are available for download or ordering in English and Spanish.

Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?

This fact sheet presents information on children’s mental health including assessing your child’s behavior, when to seek help, first steps for parents, treatment options, and factors to consider when choosing a mental health professional.

The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know

Learn about how the teen brain grows, matures, and adapts to the world.

Mental Health Resources for Educators

By The TFA Editorial Team

May 15, 2020

Times are challenging for teachers — you're playing the role of an educator but also of a listener, caretaker, and leader. And doing it all remotely, in the midst of a pandemic. We’ve compiled a list of quick resources, articles, and more to help you unwind, teach even when tension is high, and explore mental health and wellness in the time of COVID-19. 

For Self-Work, Insight, or to Ground and Unwind

Onward and onwardthebook.com.

Teachers’ mental health and wellness is correlated with student wellness and overall achievement. Focusing on your own wellness is just as important as the skills and strategies you use to help your students. Onward:: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators by Elena Aguilar tackles the issue of teacher stress and burnout with a detailed path to resiliency to help teachers weather challenging times. Onwardthebook.com is the companion website to the book .  Start Your Journey here.

Why Recharging Matters

Harvard Business Review covers in-depth how the lack of time we take to rest and recover could be holding back our collective ability to be resilient and successfu l.

Gratitude Journal Prompts & PDF

Countless studies have shown gratitude to have a strong positive impact on psychological well-being. A great first step in the practice of gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal in which you can take inventory and note the positive forces and people in your life that surround you.  

For Anxiety and Processing loss Amid COVID-19

Care for your coronavirus anxiety.

The self-care app Shine is designed to help you through tough times. The team behind the app also created a helpful resource page for anxiety and mental health in a global climate of uncertainty. The site includes free tool-kits, guided meditations, breathing simulations, expert advice, and much more. 

Grieving the Losses of Coronavirus

Lori Gottlieb, a therapist and the author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, talks about grief and offers ways we can process and get through it in the New York Times . 

That Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief

A leading expert on grief,  David Kessler, discusses the classic five stages of grief   and how to apply it and work through it in today’s climate. 

For Listening, Joy, and Comfort

Poetry and reflections.

The helpful and inspirational nonprofit media and public life initiative On Being cultivated a thoughtful list of podcasts, poetry, meditations, and reflections to help us reflect and relax amid the chaos. 

Meditations with Lizzo

“‘Cuz I Love You” singer, Lizzo sends good vibes our way with a 30-minute healing meditation on Instagram . 

Songs of Comfort

World-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma has been playing daily " Songs of Comfort " to help spread joy and soothe our anxious minds and hearts.

Isle of Calm

Our friends at NPR curated an entire Spotify playlist dedicated to helping you recharge, relax, and be present. 

For Teaching in the Time of Coronavirus

Self-care for educators and students.

Breathe For Change has a number of resources teachers can share with students & families either for at-home use or for use during synchronous, online learning. Resources include family guide for well-being, mindfulness activities for the online classroom, and online guide for classroom compassion and courage.

The Child Mind Institute

The Child Mind Institute has put together a whole series of support for families and students, including clinical live supports and resources, daily tip of the day video for families, anxiety management, and resources for dealing with loss.

For Supporting Social-Emotional Learning and Student Wellness

Mindfulness activities for the classroom.

Explore 18 quick and effective mindfulness activities you can do with your class, most of which can translate to a virtual remote environment. Activities include explicit directions and scripts for teachers that can be used as-is or adapted. 

Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child

PsychCentral has compiled a useful list of 49 phrases to calm an anxious child during tumultuous times. 

Emotional Development Videos

From talking about feeling to belly breathing, Sesame Street has you covered with a  curated group of videos that deal with emotional development. 

Coping Skills

This handy list and worksheet of coping skills has activities organized by calming skills, distraction skills, physical skills, and processing skills. 

Secondary Student Help

Peer Health Exchange , an evidence-based, near-peer health education program, has moved its content online. The site has a rich collection of videos, skill-building information, and resources for secondary students.

Find Resources & Support for Teaching Online

TFA Slack Network

How Educators Can Address Trauma During the Pandemic

How Teachers Can Stay Balanced During the Pandemic

Note: This resource list includes articles, organizations, apps, and program artifacts to support staff, teachers, and student wellness. Users are responsible for researching resources and professionals to find the best supports to meet their needs. Teach For America does not endorse these services in any way.  The resources linked within are not meant to replace or confuse any guidance teachers and corps members are receiving from their districts, administrators, or employers. Ultimately, corps members with Teach For America must adhere to the policies and guidance from their placement schools.

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Teach.com / Resources

50 Resources to Support the Mental Health of Teachers and School Staff

August 31, 2020 

Teachers are so woven into the fabric of our communities that, sometimes, it can be easy to take them for granted. Tending to the needs of children, parents and staff,  K-12 teachers are forced to deal with limited support from their administrations, consistently changing curriculums and even dire health situations like a pandemic, creating stress and burnout.  With everything they have to juggle, teachers can sometimes overlook their own self-care and mental health needs.

To support the mental health of teachers and school staff, Teach.com has researched and collected helpful apps recommended by support organizations for teachers, articles focusing on their mental wellbeing and other resources written, created and produced by educators or mental health experts, agencies and organizations for educators and school staff.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Organizations

Mental Health Apps

Calm:  meditation and relaxation app behind the  Calm Schools Initiative  which offers teachers access to exercises as well as an  onboarding package (PDF, 98 KB)  to introduce mindfulness.

Headspace:  mindfulness app that has partnered with  Teach for America (TFA)  to be available for TFA corps members and alumni for free by registering with an @tfacorps.org email address.

BACK TO TOP

Mental Health Support Groups and Organizations

Happy Teacher Revolution:  network of teachers promoting wellness in their communities with online and virtual training and support group meetings.

NCTE Member Gathering, National Council of Teachers of English:  weekly gathering of members to share ideas, build relationships and offer support to peers.

Teach for America Network Slack channel:  virtual community of TFA members and alumni that encourages weekly check-ins. 

Teaching With Mental Health in Mind:  Facebook group providing mental health support for educators who come into daily contact with youth.

Mental Health Websites and Other Online Content

“10 Mental Health Tips for Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” EverFi:  advice for work-life balance and remote teaching.

“15 Ways to Reduce Teacher Stress,” Scholastic:  Tips to help teachers love what they do and enjoy their lives outside the classroom.

ASCD Express,  Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD):  newsletter with practical and actionable strategies to help teachers and school leaders with self-care and more.

CARE (Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education), Create for Education and the Garrison Institute:  programs to help teachers, principals and other educators develop healthy social and emotional behavior.

Care for the Caregiver: Guidelines for Administrators and Crisis Teams, National Association of School Psychologists:  risks and stressors, warning signs and strategies for self-care for school staff. 

“COVID-19 Employee Mental Health Support Audit and Resource Guide,” EAB (PDF, 337 KB):  guide for evaluating a school’s capability to support the mental health of teachers and staff.

“Don’t Lose Your Head,” NEA Today:  tips to help teachers keep burnout at bay and maintain grace under pressure inside and outside the classroom. 

Educating Through Crisis, National Education Association:  guide for physical and mental wellness with webinars, financial information and tips to set up a home gym. 

The Educator’s Room: articles and advice dedicated to improving education and using the wisdom and experience of classroom teachers, with information on the annual  Teacher Self-Care Conference.

“Educators: You Have Permission to Take Care of Yourselves, Right Now,” Mindful Schools:  tips for teachers on how to show themselves compassion and self-care with guided practices to relieve stress.

“How to Teach and Still Have a Life This School Year,” Scholastic:  tips, strategies and encouragement for teachers to set boundaries and stay motivated.

Life and Well-being, We Are Teachers:  curated topics page of videos, articles and tools focused on reinvigorating and inspiring teachers to live more healthfully.

My Well-being, Greater Good in Education:  strategies and practices for the adults who work with students to help encourage positive school cultures.

Personal Assessment and Reflection Tool, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) (PDF, 362 KB):  self-evaluation tool for school leaders, staff and other adults to assess personal strengths in social and emotional learning.

“Prioritizing Well-being: Mental Health Strategies for Teachers and Students,” EverFi:  webinar exploring activities, strategies, tips and tricks to help with mental well-being.

Resilient Educator:  articles for educators with content ranging from self-care to teaching tips and professional development.

“Self-Care for Educators Working From Home,” California Teachers Association (PDF, 1.5 MB):  activities and strategies for educators to stay connected and healthy while working remotely.

Self-Care Resources, Mindful Teachers:  tips, reflections, mindfulness practices and more to help with common challenges educators face.

Share My Lesson, American Federation of Teachers:  articles, lesson plan guides and other content to provide teachers high-quality material for their students.

SMART (Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques) in Education, PassageWorks:  program with virtual workshops delivered over eight weeks to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.

Teacher Well-being, The Guardian Network:  curated stories focused on supporting educators.

Teacher Wellness, Edutopia:  articles, videos and other helpful content about self-care.

For Educators, Understood.org:  articles, tools and resources to help educators navigate different situations.

“What About You? Educator Resilience and Trauma-Informed Self-Care,” Center on Great Teachers and Leaders:  video webinar on how educators can take care of themselves and their families while maintaining connections to students and colleagues during a crisis.

“Why Teacher Self-Care Matters and How to Practice Self-Care in Your School,” Waterford.org:  activities and tips for teachers to use inside and outside the classroom. 

“World Mental Health Day: 5 Tips for Teacher Well-being,” Teach Starter:  advice on how to de-stress, maintain physical health and strive for better work-life balance.

Books on Mental Health

“Moment for Teachers: Self-Care for Busy Teachers – 101 Free Ways for Teachers to Become More Inspired, Peaceful, and Confident in 30 Seconds,”  Alice Langholt: tasks and activities for teachers to do alone or with students.

“The Beginning Teacher’s Field Guide: Embarking on Your First Years,”  Tina H. Boogren: advice, empathy and support with a description of phases of every teacher’s first year.

“First Aid for Teacher Burnout: How You Can Find Peace and Success,”  Jenny Grant Rankin: examination of common causes of teacher burnout with strategies to cope with them.

“The Happy Teacher’s Handbook: From Overwhelmed to Inspired – Helping Teachers Embrace Resiliency,”  Jen Molitor: tips, tools and inspirational stories to help teachers handle their responsibilities and improve their time management skills.

“Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators,”  Elena Aguilar: framework for teachers to build resilience based on habits, understand their motivation and tap the energy within to bounce back.

“Overcoming Teacher Burnout in Early Childhood: Strategies for Change,”  Ellen M. Drolette:  examination of why early childhood professionals have a high turnover rate and how to motivate and inspire them to use self-reflection and group work to recharge and strategize.

“Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers: 10 Steps to Reduce Stress, Increase Student Engagement and Reignite Your Passion for Teaching,”  Grace Stevens: roadmap to reduce stress and raise satisfaction in the classroom.

“See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers,”  Roxanna Elden: anecdotes, tips and strategies from experienced teachers to help those new to the field.

“Stress Management for Teachers: A Practical Guide,”  Keith C. Herman and Wendy M. Reinke: collection of coping and problem-solving skills and tools with individual and group exercises.

“Take Time for You: Self-Care Action Plans for Educators,”  Tina H. Boogren: guide to developing a self-care plan based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

“Today I Made a Difference: A Collection of Inspirational Stories from America’s Top Educators,”  Joseph W. Underwood: celebration of teachers’ work and motivational stories of educators who overcame obstacles.

Mental Health Podcasts

The Cult of Pedagogy:  series that focuses on educators, students, administrators and parents sharing insight and advice with veteran educator Jennifer Gonzalez.

HMH Learning Moments:  series from educational content publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that highlights teachers who share their stories, ideas and innovations to help others.

Passing Notes: experts offering practical advice with host Stephanie Hinton, the early childhood eEducation coordinator for Oklahoma City Public Schools.

Teach Me, Teacher:  podcast with teachers sharing experiences to help their peers and offering their perspectives on teacher development with host and middle school teacher Jacob Chastain.

Teachers’ Aid:  episodes focus on social and emotional support for teachers with discussions led by hosts and educators Jon Harper and Mandy Froehlich.

The Teacher Self-Care Podcast:  series features teachers and administrators sharing what self-care looks like for them with host Franchesca Warren, founder of The Educator’s Room.

Truth for Teachers:  episodes on subjects such as flexible resilience, dealing with personality differences and work-life balance from veteran educator Angela Watson.

This article was posted September 2020.

Teacher Tools for Student Mental Health

Welcome teachers! Here is an opportunity to help support your students’ mental health. We’ve created three unique toolkits to empower Elementary, Middle, and High School teachers  like you  to promote self-care practices for your students while destigmatizing and fostering a safe environment for open dialogue about mental health.

Download Your FREE Toolkits

Prepare for Mental Health Awareness Month by adding these resources to your lesson plans.  

More About The Toolkits

Watch these videos to learn more about each toolkit and how you can support breaking the mental health stigma in your classroom.

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

Additional Resources for Teachers

School posters.

Hang our mental health posters in your school to bolster your students’ emotional well-being and empower your students to seek help when they need it. Download

Talk With Your Students About Mental Health

Keep these valuable tips handy to help you engage in  important conversations with your students about their mental health. Download

Check out our items and proudly showcase your mental health merch to help raise awareness and spread the word. Shop

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• Talking About Mental Illness

Guides for Teachers and Communities

Stigma continues to be a huge problem for people living with mental illness. It undermines a person's sense of self, relationships, well-being and prospects for recovery. Communities are proving they can make a difference through education and awareness programs. The program described in Talking About Mental Illness  (TAMI) helps to increase awareness about mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it. It is based on the experiences of three communities that participated in the program, and the steps they took to increase awareness and understanding of mental illness. 

Background to the Program

The community sites used Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest , an awareness program for youth age 15 or older, as their starting point. The program was originally developed in 1988 by nurse case managers at the former Clarke Institute of Psychiatry (one of the founding partners of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health). This program was developed in response to the community's expressed need for information on mental illness. It consists of a two-hour presentation designed to give secondary school students facts about mental illness and create opportunities for them to interact with people who have first-hand experience with mental illness.

People who have experienced mental illness, family members of people with mental illness, and health professionals deliver the program. The presenters who have lived with mental illness talk about their experiences — what it was like when the symptoms of mental illness first developed, where they went for help and how they are currently managing. Students benefit from the unique learning experience the program offers, the opportunity to meet and talk to individuals who have been affected by mental illness. After attending the program, students often comment, "people with mental illness are just like everyone else."

The success of Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest and the desire to share the benefits of the program with people throughout Ontario led to the development of a second program in 1998. This program involved three partners: the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Mental Health Association (Ontario Division) and the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario. Each partner shares the goals of increasing knowledge and understanding of mental illness, and eliminating stigma. Developing the partnership allowed the program to draw on the expertise and local networks of each organization.

The program goals were to develop and deliver awareness presentations in each of the three communities — Hamilton, North Bay and Kingston — and to document their experiences in order to develop resource materials to assist other communities across the province in delivering their own awareness programs. The learnings from the Beyond the Cuckoo's Nest program became the template to develop individualized community presentations.

Each community modified the program to reflect local realities and resources. This guide is the result of their experiences and their best advice on how to develop and carry out an awareness program for youth.

Talking about mental illness consists of two documents: the Community Guide and the Teacher's Resource. 

Resources for Teachers

This Teacher's Resource Guide --> contains all of the information, support and tools teachers will need to implement Talking about Mental Illness in their classroom — an awareness program that has been proven to bring about positive change in students' knowledge and attitudes about mental illness.

The program supports teachers in four essential ways:

• it outlines the links between the program and the new Ontario Secondary School Curriculum Guidelines;
• it provides teachers with practical, ready-to-use information on mental illness;
• it offers teachers and students an opportunity to meet and interact with people who have experienced mental illness first-hand; and 
• it provides links to community resources and support for further information and professional help. 

Resources for the Community

The  Community Guide -->  contains all of the information, support and tools that community members need to implement "Talking About Mental Illness" in their community — an awareness program proven to be effective in bringing about positive change in young people's knowledge about mental illness, and in reducing stigma that surrounds mental illness.

The program brings together local community partners, including youth; people with mental illnesses and their family members; clinicians; teachers; and mental health and other agency representatives. Together, they develop and organize an educational awareness program hosted by local secondary schools.

The program provides secondary school students with the opportunity to hear the stories of community members who have experienced mental illness. The program also provides information about local mental health-related resources that provide support and help to youth coping with their own or a family member or friend's mental illness. 

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Mental and Emotional Health - Health - 7th Grade

Mental and emotional health - health - 7th grade presentation, free google slides theme and powerpoint template.

Teaching mental and emotional health to 7th graders is essential for their overall well-being. This adorable and fun presentation uses cute illustrations and pastel colors to engage students in a meaningful way. They'll learn about managing stress, building resilience, and nurturing positive relationships. With this helpful resource, you'll have all the tools you need to educate and empower your students to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being. Let's create a supportive and nurturing environment together! Download this fantastic mental and emotional health presentation for 7th grade now!

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Mental Health and Wellbeing Role of Teachers

Nov 03, 2014

560 likes | 1.13k Views

Mental Health and Wellbeing Role of Teachers. Chamindra Weerackody Project Lead, Trauma and Global Health Programme McGill University, Canada & People’s Rural Development Association Faculty of Education, University of Colombo 22 nd June 2010. Mental Health and Wellbeing.

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• mental health
• mental illness
• spiritual wellbeing
• dr rasitha perera
• reduces community mental health

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Mental Health and WellbeingRole of Teachers Chamindra Weerackody Project Lead, Trauma and Global Health Programme McGill University, Canada & People’s Rural Development Association Faculty of Education, University of Colombo 22nd June 2010

Mental Health and Wellbeing • ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease’(WHO, 2008 – Mental Health) • Wellbeing: Reflects values, norms human needs etc. as perceived by people themselves (Diener and Suh, 2000; Prlleltensky et al. 2000; Myers et al. 2005).

Mental Health and Wellbeing • Understandings of ‘mental health’ and ‘mental illness’ determined by meanings given to experiences and feelings in a context of people’s culture (Marsella and White, 1982; Kakar, 1984; Kleinman, 1988a,b; Gaines, 1992; Fernando, 2002). • Mental health is not just a technical matter but connects with ways of life, values, and worldviews that vary across cultures. • Understanding of ‘wellbeing’ (in development studies) reflects range of human experience - social, mental, spiritual, material. (Chambers 1997).

Community perceptions of mental health and wellbeing • Material wellbeing • Social wellbeing • Security • Physical, mental and moral/spiritual wellbeing

Material wellbeing • having stable employment/livelihoods • having stable cash incomes • access to adequate land • having permanent, secure and spacious house

Social wellbeing • providing good education and socialization for children • caring for children • unity and harmony within family • unity and harmony within community • unity and harmony with neighbouring communities/host communities

Social wellbeing • access to services • self-respect and dignity • clean and free environment • free of alcohol and drug abuse

Security • a secure environment for their living without fear and outside threats • a secure physical environment and protection from natural disasters and conflicts • free movement and living without being subject to suspicion

Security • a peaceful atmosphere free of regular checks and intimidation from security forces. • secure and strong houses to prevent intruders • houses that ensure privacy and personal safety • community members coming together to intervene and resolve problems and issues

Physical, mental and moral and spiritual wellbeing • living without illness and suffering • having mental happiness • having good thoughts/feelings towards others • living with courage/endeavour, self-initiative and drive • living with wisdom (not acting on emotions/rational behaviour) • moral behaviour of community members • careful spending • living religiously

What reduces community mental health and wellbeing? • political violence and natural disasters • displacement • poverty • poor housing conditions • conflicts within family and community • social exclusion and isolation

What reduces community mental health and wellbeing? • injustice and discrimination • urbanization • communicable diseases • work stress • alcoholism, drug abuse and sexual abuse

Psychosocial context of mental health and wellbeing(source: Prof. A.J.Marsella)

Stigma People with mental health problems (studies in UK) 84 % experience problems in getting jobs, healthcare, mortgages (Mind survey, 2004) 55 % young people would not want anyone else to know about illness (NUS and Rethink, 2001) 49% have been harassed or attacked (Mind, Not Just Sticks and Stones, 1986) 33% report having been dismissed or forced to resign from jobs (Read and Baker, 1996) Source: Dr Suman Fernando

Stigma – research Stigma absent when mental illness is attributed to ‘spirit possession’ (in Sri Lanka) (Waxler, 1974) ‘brain-disease’ view of mental health problems increases stigma (in Germany) (Angermeyer and Matschinger, 2005) ‘bio-genetic cause’ view of mental health problems positively related to stigma Source: Dr Suman Fernando

Social costs and stigma • Social costs of illness are high in terms of family breakdown, isolation, disharmony, poverty and deprivation • Social stigma prevented many patients and their families seeking treatment from ‘Angoda hospital’ • Many patients preferred to go to general hospitals (psychiatry units) or private hospitals/doctors to avoid getting them labeled • Forceful admissions result in anger and hostile relationships between patient and families Source: Dr Rasitha Perera

Family response to persons with mental illness Care givers were reluctant to take the patient home and desired a long stay when patients:- were aggressive at home do not take treatment as prescribed mess up family/home affairs do not have a care giver at home Dr Rasitha Perera

Family response to persons with mental illness Care givers were reluctant to take the patient home and desired a long stay when patients:- are dependent on others / lack of productivity misuse psychoactive substance show hostility maintain poor self care Source: Dr Rasitha Perera

Family response to persons with mental illness Illness was the major cause for many patients to remain single, separated or divorced 50% of the patients experienced disharmony with their families 1/3rd of the patients were considered a burden to the family Only 1/4th of the patients received better family care 1/3rd of the care givers were not satisfied with the current status of the patient Source: Dr Rasitha Perera

Promoting mental health and wellbeing Interventions Social Medical (treatments) Strengthening resilience and support Individual Family Community Promoting recovery (‘recovery approach’) Developing hope Overcoming barriers Social inclusion Source: Dr Suman Fernando

Mental Health Interventions Medical model: • Problems identified by symptoms of individuals • ‘Illness’ represents bio-medical pathology Source: Dr Suman Fernando

Mental Health Interventions Medical model: • Help is via individual treatments - Biological (medication, ECT) - Psychological (e.g. ‘talking therapies’, CBT ) • Environmental manipulation e.g. therapeutic communities, advice, education, family support Source: Dr Suman Fernando

Mental Health Interventions Social model: • Origin / cause of MH problems are social • ‘Illness’ is socially constructed • Help is via social interventions and support involving family, community, living conditions etc. Source: Dr Suman Fernando

Healing systems accessed by peoplein Sri Lanka • Western medicine including psychiatry • Ayurvedic, siddha and sinhala medicine • Astrological consultation – palm/ horoscope reading • Healing rituals –bodhi pujas, exorcism • Practical advice based on dhamma–pirith chanting, medication • Healing at temples, churches and mosques

Mental health promotion • develop ‘balanced care’ = hospital care + community care (mixture of medical and social models) • Work as multi-disciplinary teams • support traditional healing systems • promote family and community support • integrate with community development • social inclusion and participation • reduce risk factors

Recommendations for developing community-based mental health services Principles: • Bottom-up approach:- ‘home-grown’ • Involve local community organizations (e.g. schools, temples, churches, mosques, etc. ) • Culturally and socially acceptable/sensitive • Include marginalized groups • Integrate local knowledge with outside ‘expertise’ Ref: Weerackody and Fernando, 2009

Factors affecting mental health and wellbeing of children • Lack of access to education and facilities • Child neglect, ill-treatment and poor care • Malnutrition • Traumatic experiences – loss of family members, displacement, detention, physical injuries • Substance abuse • Sexual abuse and child prostitution • Child trafficking and labour • Domestic violence

Factors affecting mental health and wellbeing of children • Family break downs e.g. divorce, separation, desertion • Recruitment as child soldiers • Parents working abroad • Competition and pressures for ‘achievement’ • Disabilities

Mental health problems of children (1) May present as: • emotional problems such as phobias, excessive anxiety, depression, irrational fears • Unusual behaviour / conduct such as aggressiveness, timidity • Inattention / overactivity at school or home

Mental health problems of children (2) May present as: • Difficulties / delay in acquiring certain skills such as speech, writing, reading • Problems in attachment to parents or caregivers such as not showing or responding to affection (when severe may be autism) • Food fads / eating problems such a refusing to eat, induced vomiting (may be anorexia)

Mental health problems of children (3) • sleeping problems such as excessive sleepiness, insomnia (may be sign of more severe illness) • Post traumatic problems such as re-living traumatic incidents (may become ‘post traumatic stress disorder’ – PTSD)

Dealing with Mental health problems of children Try to pick up: • Special needs that child may have such as early learning difficulties, dyslexia (recognition of words and writing letters), hearing loss (early deafness), visual impairment • Problems in the child’s interactions with other children, teachers and others in authority

Dealing with Mental health problems of children • Family problems at home • Difficulties in socialisation (not mixing, isolating)

How can the teachers help? • Paying more attention to children with special needs or ‘problems’ (20-30 percent of children) • Providing a safe context for children to talk • Listening and talking to children

How can the teachers help?(2) • Making referrals to relevant specialists (e.g. children with severe emotional disturbance, post traumatic states, eating disorders, deafness, autism, family issues) • Enabling children to develop appropriate life-skills, self-esteem and resilience

Prevention of mental health problems (1) • Acquiring professional skills in understanding child development and mental health • Creating a supportive school environment that is conducive to learning and developing life skills • Providing mental health education, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours to all children

Prevention of mental health problems (2) • Educating parents and community members on risk and protective factors of mental health • Identifying factors that place children at risk and reinforcing protective factors

Challenges for teachers • How can we provide a safe and supportive environment in which all students can maximize their learning? • How can we remain accessible and responsive to their needs? • How can we assist our students to develop their ability to cope with challenges and stress?

Providing supportive context for children • Liaising with families, parents and care-givers e.g. home visits • Fostering partnerships between school and community agencies, service providers etc. • Strengthening community support networks

Factors that enhance resilience among children • Positive role models • Positive self-esteem • Supportive relationships with teachers and friends • A sense of hope and purpose • Belief in one’s self • Strong social skills • Good peer relationships

What are Life-Skills? Skills that enable people to: • Live in harmony with parents, teachers and others in authority • Live in harmony with peers from various communities and social classes • Make socially & culturally appropriate relationships • Make decisions that are in keeping with social and cultural norms (ethical values, expectations of kith and kin, worldviews, etc.) • Maintain a sense of self-worth as well as respect for others • Deal with adversity in socially acceptable and culturally appropriate ways

Specific Life-Skills • Specific skills would depend on social and cultural context in which the person lives – so would vary and the specifics of the skills required would change as society changes and / or person moves (e.g. migrates)

Western and Non-Western Understandings of Life Skills

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