MHANYS School Mental Health Resource and Training Center (SMHRTC) is getting ready for the school year. Last week, we had over a thousand attendees at our two day Summer Academy. This week we are sending out a lot of invaluable resources for students, families, teachers, clinicians and administrators as we prepare for another school year and the implementation of the bell to bell program.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram at @schoolmentalhealthNYS.
Back to School with the SMHRTCenter
Free Resources for the New School Year
Prioritize mental health this school year with shareable resources curated by the SMHRTCenter. Download and print the interactive PDFs below – and share with the educators, families, and students in your life.
Resources for Educators
Resources for Families
Resources for Students
Upcoming Webinars
Educator Café: Understanding Youth Substance Use and Risky Behavior with the
Stanford REACH Lab
Back to school is the perfect time to have honest conversations about substances and risky behaviors.
The SMHRTCenter will host renowned scholar and founder of the Stanford University REACH Lab, Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher as a part of our virtual Educator Cafe series. Dr. Halpern-Felsher will discuss the research behind creating effective programs that prevent adolescent substance use and risk behavior.
Dr. Halpern-Felsher is a developmental psychologist whose research has focused on cognitive and psychosocial factors involved in adolescents’ and young adults’ health-related decision-making, perceptions of risk and vulnerability, health communication, and risk behavior.
CTLE Credits available
Save the Date: September 18th, 3:30 – 4:30pm
Family Education Webinar: You are Not Alone –
A Discussion on Children’s Mental Health for
Parents and Caregivers
Navigating children’s mental health can be challenging at all times of year, but especially during times of transition.
Join us for an empowering and enlightening conversation with one of the nation’s leaders in advancing youth mental health and shaping the role schools play in addressing children’s mental wellness, Christine M. Crawford, MD,MPH.
Dr. Crawford will share her insights on how parents and caregivers can recognize and address potential mental health challenges, effectively communicate concerns about their children’s mental health as well as how to help support children in handling various negative stressors.
Dr. Crawford’s expertise will benefit parents, caregivers, educators and anyone who interacts with children.
Save the Date: September 25th, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Back to School with YMHFA
Upcoming Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (ages 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
Trainings are sponsored by the New York State Office of Mental Health
Upcoming Virtual Sessions:
- September 10th & 11th 1:00pm – 4:00pm both days
- September 17th & 18th 5:30pm – 8:30pm both days
- September 25th & 26th 9:00am – 12:00pm both days
Click the Link to Register! For questions, contact ymhfa@mhanys.org
Back to School Resources
NY.gov: Implementing Phone-Free Schools
New York State is requiring statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 schools beginning in September.
Visit ny.gov/phonefree to view your district’s phone policy for the upcoming year.
NYS Office of Mental Health: Be Well
Learn helpful ways to build Your Wellness, Your Way with Be Well, from the New York Office of Mental Health.
This free, interactive online resource includes steps to take care of oneself, to build resilience, and to foster community wellness. Learn more: bewell.ny.gov
NAMI: Back To School Resources
This toolkit, “Building Student Resilience Through Shared Resources” includes resources in English and Spanish for students, parents, and teachers.
From mindfulness exercises to factsheets on recognizing mental health crises, use these resources to prepare for a healthy back to school season.
NAMI.org
Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition: Teachers and Staff’s Mental Wellness Plan for the New School Year
As a part of their monthly webinar series, the Erie County Anti-Stigma Coalition hosts expert panelists to discuss practical steps to taking care of your mental health this back to school season.
ADAA: Back-to-School Anxiety: How to Prepare Your Child and Embrace the Unknown
This blog post from the Anxiety & Depression Association of America provides age-appropriate skills for addressing back to school anxiety. Research-backed DBT skills include distress tolerance and building emotional readiness.
Spread the Word – We’re on Social Media!
The School Mental Health Resource and Training Center has launched its own social media. Follow @schoolmentalhealthNYS
Share our social media channels with friends, colleagues, and loved ones to help us grow!
