A Call To Action: Mental Health Initiatives in Schools

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Bloomfield Hills Schools, Mi

First Presenter’s Email Address

pwatson@bloomfield.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Patrick Watson has served as the Superintendent of Bloomfield Hills School District since January 2020. Prior to joining Bloomfield Hills, he spent 25 years in the West Bloomfield School District as a coach, teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal. Over the last seven years Mr. Watson has been heavily involved in promoting Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention in schools.

Location

Session Five Breakouts

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Relevance

My proposal/presentation directly addresses the "why" regarding the importance of focusing on our student's mental health. I will detail the current relevant mental health data that is impacting adolescents followed by the next steps to addressing the needs of our students in a school setting.

Brief Program Description

As educators, we are at the epicenter of our nation's adolescent mental health crisis? Now what? Now is the time to take action. My presentation will focus on practical approaches to support the mental health of our students.

Summary

In a two-year span, I lost four students and one staff member to death by suicide. I also noticed the number of 504's for anxiety and depression were increasing each year. It was at this time I led a districtwide focus on mental health. Some of the main areas my presentation will focus on are;

  • 10 week mental health curriculum
  • Social-Emotional Learning opportunities K-12
  • Minute Meetings
  • Creation and use of a "zen room"
  • Student yoga and meditation
  • The use of therapy dogs
  • Counselor/Administrator visibility
  • Small group counseling
  • Trauma-informed practices

Everything shared in the presentation can be adapted and implemented in a school setting. Many of the ideas can be done at little to no cost to the school district.

Evidence

"Teen Depression and Suicide: Effective Prevention and Intervention Strategies.” ERIC, 2012, eric.ed.gov/?q=teen+AND+depression+AND+suicide&ff1=pubJournal+Articles&id=EJ994849.

CDC Suicide Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html Kevin's Song Suicide Prevention: https://kevinssong.org/ Partnership with Harvard: https://www.candgnews.com/features/wbhs-takes-part-in-harvardled-campaign-for-mental-health-107197 Mental Health Program: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2018/05/04/west-bloomfield-high-school-implements-mandatory-mental-health-training-program-to-help-students/ Michigan Education Association article: https://mea.org/breaking-the-silence/ Detroit Free Press article: https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2018/05/16/west-bloomfield-school-student-mental-health/598259002/ Teen Vogue article: https://wbspectrum.com/12202/showcase/teen-vogue-michigan-high-school-offering-mental-health-class/

Learning Objective 1

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to identify data trends in teen suicide.

Learning Objective 2

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to identify potential changes they can quickly make in a school setting to improve student's mental health.

Learning Objective 3

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to identify long term changes they can make in a school setting to improve student's mental health.

Keyword Descriptors

suicide prevention, mental health, anxiety, depression, social emotional learning, minute meetings, curriculum, therapy dogs, and zen room.

Presentation Year

2022

Start Date

3-8-2022 10:15 AM

End Date

3-8-2022 11:30 AM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Mar 8th, 10:15 AM Mar 8th, 11:30 AM

A Call To Action: Mental Health Initiatives in Schools

Session Five Breakouts

As educators, we are at the epicenter of our nation's adolescent mental health crisis? Now what? Now is the time to take action. My presentation will focus on practical approaches to support the mental health of our students.