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Youth Mental Health

The pressures of modern life, the complexity of our social networks and relationships, even our early childhood experiences can elevate high levels of stress, emotion, and challenges to our mental health that are felt in our individual lives and in our communities. Having the support and insight to safely navigate these dynamics is part of what makes up our overall well-being.

Schools are increasingly aware of the importance of mental health and the impact of chronic adversity and chronic trauma. An estimated 70 – 80 percent of children who receive mental health services ​access those services at school. When schools support mental health, students typically have fewer disciplinary issues, can focus more on school work, and can develop skills to communicate better. This can translate to improved academic outcomes and better health later in life.

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Resilience in School Environments (RISE)

​Resilience in School Environments, or RISE, is designed to help create safe and supportive learning environments by cultivating practices that strengthen the social and emotional health of all school employees and students. RISE works with schools and districts to prepare staff to better understand and integrate social and emotional well-being into all aspects of school life, both theirs and their students.

Learn more about RISE

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Social Emotional Health

Social emotional health is the ability to understand and manage our emotions and to form relationships with the world around us. As places of learning and growth, schools are an ideal setting to support the social and emotional health of students, staff, and teachers.

Learn more about Social Emotional Health

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

​Toxic stress and ACEs are an under addressed reason many individuals are unable to achieve their full potential. Schools can learn to recognize opportunities for enhancing resilience in their educational spaces and structures and reduce overall exposure to adversity.

Learn more about ACEs

National Thriving Schools Youth Council

The National Thriving Schools Youth Council (NTSYC) is a collective of rising high school sophomores and juniors from across the country advocating and collaborating to make schools nationwide healthier. The youth council currently focuses on how mental health impacts chronic absenteeism in schools.

Learn more about the NTSYC

Father and daughter painting mural on wall

Resources

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