MHFA Monthly: Make Mental Health a Back-to-School Priority

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Back-to-school season is here! It’s a familiar time of year that elicits a variety of emotions for parents, guardians and teachers, as well as students. But once you add in COVID-19, over a year of virtual schooling, and debates over public health measures, transitioning back to the classroom moves into unfamiliar territory. With the big changes of the 2021-2022 school year, don’t be surprised if you or your children feel some anxiety or apprehension around the return to school. Taking care of your children’s mental health is always a top priority, whether they’re returning to an in-person classroom or a virtual one. Mental Health First Aid can help you be prepared to support your children through the first days of school, even if they are experiencing challenges. In August, we shared tips from the Mental Health First Aid curriculum to ease the back-to-school transition for you and your children. For some younger children, going back to school may trigger feelings of anxiety, especially if they’ve been home with parents or caregivers for the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic. Older children and teens may also experience signs of stress or depression, so it’s important to have the information and tools to support them, too. Check in with your children often and address any concerns they may have. And of course, stay up to date on your school or school district’s procedures if someone does test positive for COVID-19. Returning to school may not be easy this year, but you can #BeTheDifference by keeping your children healthy, safe and supported with Mental Health First Aid. Be sure to check out our blog and social media channels for daily information and tips – follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!     Coping with Back-to-School Anxiety During COVID-19 Many schools are resuming in-person learning after more than a year of virtual schooling, and that may elicit a wide range of emotions, from excited to apprehensive. With tips from MHFA, you can help your children manage feelings of stress and anxiety as you prepare for the upcoming transition.  Read more.     Practicing Empathy as a Mental Health First Aider Empathy can help us connect with our peers, colleagues, and loved ones by making them feel included, heard and supported. By practicing empathy, you can effectively manage and respond to stressful or emotionally challenging situations. Let the tips and resources from the Mental Health First Aid Curriculum, help you #BeTheDifference for those around you. Read more.     Back to School: Five Ways to Support Your Children Your children might be going back to school in person full time, staying in a virtual setting, or trying a hybrid of the two. Information and resources from the Youth Mental Health First Aid curriculum will support you as you support your children while they navigate this transition. Read more.     How to Help a Friend Online While some social media consumption can be beneficial for young people, it can also expose them to content that may negatively impact their mental wellbeing and lead to increased risk of depression, anxiety and sleep deprivation. These tips from the teen Mental Health First Aid curriculum can help young people take care of themselves and their peers in a digital world. Read more.     The National Council Announces First Annual Mental Health First Aid USA Doctoral Student Grantees   The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is excited to announce the award of $5,000 grants to four outstanding doctoral candidates who will expand the research base for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).      “Mental Health First Aid delivers vital community training, especially as we all deal with the effects of the pandemic on mental wellbeing. The research from our grant recipients will help us shape and grow our programs,” said National Council President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia. This is the first year MHFA Doctoral Student Grants have been awarded. Read the full press release and learn more about the award recipients.       At University of North Carolina this academic year, more than 10,000 faculty, staff, students and campus police will be trained in MHFA to address rising mental health needs in college students. Read more.     Veterans who served in Afghanistan are experiencing unique challenges to their mental wellbeing. Mental Health First Aid provides training specifically designed for people interested in helping veterans. Read more.     Care Design NY, a care coordination organization and health home in Albany, N.Y., for people with intellectual and/or developmental differences, has trained over 98% of their care management workforce in Mental Health First Aid to improve the support and care they provide. Read more.     Thank you for choosing to #BeTheDifference, Mental Health First Aid USA     The  National Council for Mental Wellbeing is the unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services. Together with our 3,326 member organizations serving over 10 million adults, children and families living with mental illnesses and addictions, the National Council is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. The National Council introduced  Mental Health First Aid USA  and 2 million Americans have been trained. For more information, please visit  www.TheNationalCouncil.org.