Who knows best?: Student Recommendations for Supporting Mental Health and Well-being in Schools
Presentation Abstract
Earlier this year, the Georgia Department of Education’s Mental Health & Well-being team held a mental health listening session with over 70 high school students of various backgrounds from across Georgia. Using adults from across divisions in the Office of Whole Child Supports, students were broken into small groups of approximately 7-8 students, and a protocol was used to ensure consistency and especially that every student’s voice was heard.
Adult facilitators captured notes from their group, which were analyzed for common themes. This session will highlight the themes that emerged from student recommendations. Not only will the presenter share the recommendations, participants will receive information on specific (low or no-cost) resources currently available to assist schools and LEAs in implementing the students’ suggestions. Topics will include student ideas for increasing mental health awareness and reducing stigma in the school environment and encouraging students to reach out for help when needed.
Conference Program Description
If you want to know what mental health supports students need in schools…just ask them. In this session, participants will learn themes which emerged from a recent listening session with over 70 high school students from across Georgia, and will walk away with possible resources to make it happen.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Baldy, Tabathia S., "Who knows best?: Student Recommendations for Supporting Mental Health and Well-being in Schools" (2023). Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference. 22.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gapbs/2023/2023/22
Who knows best?: Student Recommendations for Supporting Mental Health and Well-being in Schools
Earlier this year, the Georgia Department of Education’s Mental Health & Well-being team held a mental health listening session with over 70 high school students of various backgrounds from across Georgia. Using adults from across divisions in the Office of Whole Child Supports, students were broken into small groups of approximately 7-8 students, and a protocol was used to ensure consistency and especially that every student’s voice was heard.
Adult facilitators captured notes from their group, which were analyzed for common themes. This session will highlight the themes that emerged from student recommendations. Not only will the presenter share the recommendations, participants will receive information on specific (low or no-cost) resources currently available to assist schools and LEAs in implementing the students’ suggestions. Topics will include student ideas for increasing mental health awareness and reducing stigma in the school environment and encouraging students to reach out for help when needed.
