Mental Well-Being and Schools: The Role of the Educator

Conference Strand

Practice, Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions

Abstract

This session will address the role of the educator in recognition of the increasing mental health needs of students. Additionally, this session will discuss resilience in relation to positive mental well-being as well as culturally appropriate strategies that educators can use to promote mental well-being.

Description

It is important that educators recognize and understand their role in supporting students’ mental well-being. Schools are one main system for providing children’s mental health service delivery making educators in particular an important component in promoting and supporting their well-being. It is important that educators be prepared for how to address mental well-being through culturally appropriate strategies. Research has demonstrated the negative impact of mental health challenges on the academic success, as well as social-emotional functioning, of students.

Additionally, children and adolescents are experiencing a diverse array of risk factors such as stress, trauma, and poverty. Research demonstrates that resilience is a factor in promoting mental well-being. Educators are an integral part of the mental health system for children and adolescents. This session will address the importance of resilience with regards to development and strategies that promote resilience will be presented. This session will provide insight into culturally responsive strategies that promote positive social and emotional development and skills.

Evidence

Andrews, A., McCabe, M., & Wideman-Johnston, T. (2014). Mental health issues in the schools: Are educators prepared? The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education, and Practice, 9(4), 261-272. doi:http://dx.doi.org.libez.lib.georgiasouthern.edu/10.1108/JMHTEP-11-2013-0034

Blitz, L. V., Anderson, E. M., & Saastamoinen, M. (2016). Assessing perceptions of culture and trauma in an elementary school: Informing a model for culturally responsive trauma-informed schools. The Urban Review, 48(4), 520-542. doi:http://dx.doi.org.libez.lib.georgiasouthern.edu/10.1007/s11256-016-0366-9

Henderson, D. X., Decuir-gunby, J., & Gill, V. (2016). "It really takes a village": A socio-ecological model of resilience for prevention among economically disadvantaged ethnic minority youth. Journal of Primary Prevention, 37(5), 469-485. doi:http://dx.doi.org.libez.lib.georgiasouthern.edu/10.1007/s10935-016-0446-3

Knight, C. (2007). A resilience framework: Perspectives for educators. Health Education, 107(6), 543-555. doi:http://dx.doi.org.libez.lib.georgiasouthern.edu/10.1108/09654280710827939

Schwean, V., & Rodger, S. (2013). Children first: It's time to change! Mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment informed by public health, and resiliency approaches. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 28(1), 136-166.

Format

Individual Presentations

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Jackson is an Assistant Professor of Special Education in the College of Education at Georgia Southern University. Her research interests include social and emotional development and intervention, writing development, executive functioning, preservice special education teacher preparation, professional development, and co-teaching. She has worked as an Intensive Family Intervention case manager with children and adolescents receiving mental health services and then became a special education teacher before beginning her graduate program. She has extensive experience working with children, with and without disabilities, and their families.

Location

ELAB 21

Start Date

2-8-2019 1:00 PM

End Date

2-8-2019 2:15 PM

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Feb 8th, 1:00 PM Feb 8th, 2:15 PM

Mental Well-Being and Schools: The Role of the Educator

ELAB 21

This session will address the role of the educator in recognition of the increasing mental health needs of students. Additionally, this session will discuss resilience in relation to positive mental well-being as well as culturally appropriate strategies that educators can use to promote mental well-being.