Melissa Corente, a research associate at the University of Ottawa, discusses her review on mental health in schools for educators. She highlights the lack of research on teacher mental health and the need for more support for new teachers. Melissa emphasizes the importance of addressing stress and burnout in teaching, as well as presenteeism and absenteeism. She also explores the challenges and barriers teachers face when taking leaves of absence and returning to work. Melissa suggests that school leaders play a crucial role in supporting teacher well-being by fostering a positive school culture, providing mentorship, and implementing wellness initiatives. She also recommends building wellness into the school day and involving the community in supporting teachers. Melissa concludes by sharing a virtual toolkit she developed to support mental health in the workplace.

For more information on the Healthy Professional Worker Partnership and the toolkit that Melissa mentioned, visit: https://www.healthyprofwork.com/

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at https://linktr.ee/ohiosbcoe

Tracy Johnson, managing partner of the TTJ Group and Sherays and Associates, joins Al Levin on School Wellness to discuss the importance of prevention and intervention work in schools. Tracy emphasizes the need for collaboration and partnerships within the community to create a comprehensive approach to wellness. We also highlight the significance of cultural relevance and inclusivity in prevention efforts. Tracy shares insights on harm reduction and the role of schools in addressing behaviors like vaping. We conclude by outlining the five pillars of effective prevention work: passion, presence, prestige, power base, and process.

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at https://linktr.ee/ohiosbcoe

Lori Erickson and Aric Jensen discuss their collaboration between St. Paul Public Schools and Fraser, a community mental health organization. They highlight the need for mental health support in early education and the barriers they faced in implementing the partnership. They describe the evolution of the collaboration, from providing support in the classroom to establishing day treatment classrooms. They emphasize the importance of building trust with families and the positive impact of the partnership on children's academic and social-emotional development. They also discuss the challenges and successes of the program and offer advice for other organizations looking to create similar partnerships.

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at https://linktr.ee/ohiosbcoe

Becca Huber, principal at Kinder Elementary School in Miamisburg, Ohio, discusses the Ohio School Wellness Initiative and the impact it has had on her school's culture and climate. She shares how the initiative has helped improve staff mental health and well-being through programs like the Student Assistance Program and the creation of a behavioral health and wellness coordinator position. Becca also highlights the importance of collective care and the need for staff to feel supported and hopeful in order to better serve their students. Find out about future plans for parent engagement and maintaining the momentum of staff wellness initiatives.

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at https://linktr.ee/ohiosbcoe

Nate McKelvey, CEO of CampusWell, discusses the importance of promoting health and wellness in schools. CampusWell offers a turnkey solution for colleges and universities, providing original video and written content on various wellness topics. By targeting students through YouTube ads and other platforms, CampusWell aims to engage students and provide them with resources to improve their well-being. The platform also offers customization options for schools to make the content feel more personalized. With high engagement rates and positive feedback, CampusWell is making a significant impact on student wellness.

You can find out more about Nate and CampusWell's work at https://www.campuswell.com/

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at https://linktr.ee/ohiosbcoe

Jo Simonsen, the OhioKAN Regional Director, joins Al Levin on the School Wellness podcast to discuss the OhioKAN program and its mission to support kinship and adoptive families. Jo explains that kinship families are those who step up to care for a child when they cannot live with their biological parents. These families can include relatives or even close friends who take on the responsibility of raising the child. Jo highlights the challenges that kinship families face, such as the sudden nature of the placement and the financial burden. He emphasizes the importance of schools in supporting these families and offers insights into how educators can create a kinship-friendly environment. Jo also introduces the OhioKAN toolkit, a comprehensive resource for schools to better understand and support kinship families.

You can find out more about Jo and OhioKan's work at https://ohiokan.jfs.ohio.gov/

Discover more resources from the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention at https://linktr.ee/ohiosbcoe

How do educators best promote wellness for students and staff? Join host Al Levin, a school administrator with 25 years of experience, and the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence as we discuss supporting mental health in K-12 education. We will discuss innovative strategies and initiatives to create nurturing environments. Together we will gain insight and inspiration, and learn about evidence-based tools to positively impact student and teacher well-being. Tune in and join a community dedicated to building schools where children and the adults who support them are healthy and thriving.