Creating a sense of community among students and building a sense of belonging to their school may be the most effective responses toward rising rates of mental illness, disengagement, social isolation, and loneliness. Combating these emotions with compassion and kindness can help to create a heightened sense of belonging and increased well-being.
Mental health is a priority, and with these resources, we as educators can become more equipped to help students and staff members in need.
Temperature Check
Looking for an easy way to get a weekly pulse on how your students are doing? Download and check out our Temperature Checks linked below. Also, click here to hear how these activities helped an educator connect relationally with his students while infusing social emotional learning in his classes. Access downloadable instructions here!
Mindful Moment
Breathe the Clouds Away is a mindful moment breathing exercise that allows students to pause and practice mindfulness by tuning in to what they're feeling and sensing in the moment and being still for a little bit.
Circle of Control
Time: 5-10 minutes
Overview: Learning that in each situation there are things we can control and things we cannot control. Visualizing these helps them understand that putting their energy into things they can control helps them arrive at solutions more effectively.
Instructions: Have students draw a circle in the center of their paper and write down things that they have control over in the that circle. On the outside of the circle have them write the things they cannot control.
Have students form a circle with their hands (finger tips to finger tips) and place it over the circle on the paper. Have students share what they hold in their "Circle of Control"
Reflection Question(s):
- What types of situations will your Circle of Control come in handy?
- Is there someplace you could hang your Circle of Control that would help you?
Temperature Check
Looking for an easy way to get a weekly pulse on how your students are doing? Download and check out our Temperature Checks linked below. Also, click here to hear how these activities helped an educator connect relationally with his students while infusing social emotional learning in his classes. Access downloadable instructions here!
Mindful Moment
This video provides students with a mindful moment breathing exercise that allows students to pause and practice mindfulness by tuning in to what they're feeling and sensing in the moment and being still for a little bit.
Well-Being Stems Activity
Designed for 6th-12th graders, this activity comes from The CharacterStrong Gym comprised of 100+ social & emotional and character development resources for educators, administrators, students, and families. Structured to support students and/or participants while helping them to articulate how they are experiencing well-being.
Advice from US Surgeon General
In 2023, we hosted our Whole Child Summit focused on Mental Health. One of our guests was Eric Waldo, the former Senior Advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General. Eric talks about the need for leaders in education and beyond to treat Mental Health crises with the same attention and care as they do other health crises. Eric also encourages us to take small steps in our personal, professional, and community lives to promote healing and reminds us that caring for ourselves is an important part of caring for our students and young people.
Want to Share these Resources?
Know a friend, family member, or colleague who would benefit from these resources? Click here to post & share the goodness with others!