Healthy Minds: Mental Health and Mindfulness

Format

Individual Presentation

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Kiawana Kennedy, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB)Follow

First Presenter's Institution

Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB)

First Presenter’s Email Address

kkennedy@gpb.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

As GPB's Education Outreach Specialist for Central Georgia, Dr. Kiawana Kennedy brings her passion for education to every role she takes on, currently drawing on her extensive experience to provide professional development to teachers across the state. Armed with a B.S., M.Ed., Ed.S., and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Georgia, Dr. Kennedy has worn many hats: from elementary and middle school teacher to principal, district administrator, and deputy superintendent. Her wealth of knowledge allows her to coach leaders and share best practices for integrating open educational resources into diverse classrooms. A lifelong champion for learners, Dr. Kennedy continues finding new ways to inspire excellence and access for all students. Whether guiding districts or empowering individual teachers, her dedication shines through. With over 30 years advancing curriculum and instruction, Dr. Kennedy brings a spirit of service and expertise in maximizing tools from GPB and PBS to help every student thrive.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Scarbrough 4

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

The session focuses on mental well-being by exploring mindfulness techniques that can help manage stress, anxiety, and overall mental health. Mindfulness practices are known to improve emotional regulation, reduce symptoms of mental health conditions, and promote a positive mental state.While the primary focus is on mental health, mindfulness practices often include physical elements such as breathing exercises and relaxation techniques that contribute to physical well-being. Improved mental health can also lead to better physical health outcomes, including lower stress levels and improved immune function.The session will provide participants tools for themselves as well as strategies to teach and utilize with students improving their overall well-being and fostering positive interactions with others.

Brief Program Description

Looking for strategies to support students that lead to improved mental health? Then this session on Healthy Minds: Mental Health and Mindfulness is for you. Come learn about free Mental Health and Mindfulness digital resources that are crafted to support all students. Attending this session will allow participants to leave with a wealth of strategies and resources to help students and you with self-care.

Summary

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining mental well-being and fostering emotional resilience are crucial. Our session, "Healthy Minds: Mental Health and Mindfulness," is designed to offer practical strategies and tools for enhancing mental health through mindfulness practices, benefiting both individuals and their students. This interactive session will delve into the integration of mindfulness practices with mental health and emotional well-being. We will explore several practical strategies that participants can immediately apply in their daily lives and classrooms. We will introduce strategies to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Participants will learn basic techniques such as mindful breathing exercises. Effective communication is crucial for healthy relationships. The session will cover techniques for mindful listening and empathetic responses to improve interpersonal interactions. We will provide practical methods for incorporating mindfulness into daily classroom routines, By equipping participants with these tools and strategies, "Healthy Minds: Mental Health and Mindfulness" aims to foster a sustainable practice of mindfulness, contributing to improved mental health and enriched social and emotional well-being for students and educators.

Evidence

Research into mindfulness strategies has grown substantially, highlighting their significant impact on mental health, physical health, and overall well-being. Many studies have found that mindfulness strategies are effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Participants in mindfulness programs report moderate to large reductions in these symptoms. A few days of mindfulness training improves attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory in participants. There has been demonstrated evidence that mindfulness meditation improved emotional regulation by enhancing connectivity between brain regions involved in emotional control.The evidence suggests that mindfulness strategies offer significant benefits across various aspects of mental and physical health. These benefits include reduced stress, anxiety, and depression, enhanced cognitive performance, and better emotional regulation. As research continues to evolve, mindfulness remains a promising tool for enhancing overall well-being.

Learning Objective 1

The participants will become familiar with strategies and resources to support healthy minds.

Learning Objective 2

The participants will learn how to use these resources and strategies in various settings with their students.

Learning Objective 3

The participants will identify strategies that they can use for self-care.

Keyword Descriptors

Mental Health, Mindfulness, Self-care, Social and Emotional, Climate, Positive

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-4-2025 8:30 AM

Recommended Citation

Kennedy, Kiawana, "Healthy Minds: Mental Health and Mindfulness" (2025). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 89.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2025/2025/89