Mental Health Newletter

This newsletter is designed to connect you with Mental Health Information. The information and resources can be utilized for yourself, students, or share with colleagues.

Mental health challenges affect 1 in 5 youth each year, yet most never get the support they need. Caring adults can make all the difference.
Unheard Boys, Unmet Needs: Creating Space for Adolescent Boys and Young Men to Thrive.This report sheds light on often overlooked realities facing boys and young men ages 15–24. It blends nationally representative data with youth voice to explore why so many boys’ mental health needs go unmet — and what we can do differently.

National Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 UNITY DAY. Unity Day, started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in October 2011, is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a day when we can come together to send a visible message of building commUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. The call to action is simple: wear and share the color orange.

Set Boundaries

Establish healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life to protect your well-being.

1. Self-Reflection and Understanding

Recognize Your Limits: Pay attention to what makes you feel drained, uncomfortable, or out of alignment with your values. These are signals that a boundary may be needed.
Clarify Your “Why”: Understand the purpose behind your boundaries, such as protecting your sense of self, preventing burnout or exploitation, and supporting emotional health. Boundaries aren’t just rules—they’re tools.

2. Clear and Respectful Communication

Use “I” Statements: Express your boundaries through your own perspective, e.g., “I need…” or “I feel…”.
Be Clear and Kind: Express your boundary in a straightforward way, focusing on what behavior affects you instead of placing blame.
Keep It Concise: Address one point at a time to avoid overwhelming the conversation with unnecessary details.

3. Consistent Follow-Through

Plan Ahead: Decide in advance how you will respond if a boundary is crossed to support consistency in your actions.
Practice in Small Steps: Begin by setting boundaries in low-stress situations to build skill and confidence.
Stay Consistent: Follow through on your boundaries to reinforce self-respect and help others understand your expectations.

4.Continuous Reflection and Self-Care

Revisit and Adjust: Regularly reflect on your boundaries and update them as your needs and values change.
Take Care of Yourself: Protect your time, give yourself permission to rest, and remember that saying “no” is not selfish—it’s healthy.
Honor Your Rights: Remember that boundaries are a fundamental right and an essential part of maintaining balance and well-being.

Resources

Positive Psychology

Work-Life Balance

Work-Life Balance Quiz

Healthy Boundaries at work

Boundaries Quiz

How To Talk to your Boss about Mental Health

Noticing Emotions at Work Can Build Trust

Bullying Resources

Professional Development

TRAILS PROVIDED

Trauma-Informed Supports in Schools

TRAILS Trauma-Informed Support in Schools is an overview of trauma and its impact on school age children as well as an introduction to TRAILS trauma materials and supplemental group sessions. Information also provided on other CBT-based trauma programs and resources appropriate for the school setting. Includes discussion on the importance of self-care for those supporting students. This training is open to anyone who has already received TRAILS CBT and Mindfulness training. Training includes free SCECHs (Michigan partners) and social work CEUs.

Register Here

Self-Care Training

Working within education has always been challenging. Practicing self-care—prioritizing what you need to be a healthy, whole person—is key for preventing burnout and bringing one’s best self to school. TRAILS Self-Care for School Staff provides selfcare strategies for supporting mental health and wellness, as well as activities that can be used with students. Training includes free SCECHs (Michigan partners) and social work CEUs. Topics include: • Self-care basics: what it is and why it works • Personal self-care skills.

Register Here

Coordinating TRAILS SEL in Your Building

This workshop provides a high-level overview of the TRAILS SEL curriculum and practical tools to support the successful implementation of the curriculum, including schoolwide best practices in SEL. The discussion and strategies provided will address schoolwide buy-in of SEL, provide logistical suggestions for delivering the curriculum with fidelity and flexibility, and highlight the key themes of the curriculum to enhance and deepen its effectiveness with students.

Objectives:

Discuss the benefits of schoolwide SEL programming for staff and students and an overview of the TRAILS SEL curriculum.
Identify and address common barriers to implementation, including garnering school community buy-in.
Identify the best practices in curriculum implementation, including scheduling, delivery strategies, and supporting teachers and students.

Register by selecting your preferred date:

Tuesday, September 30, 10-11am ET / 8-9am MT

Thursday, January 29, 2-3pm ET / 12-2pm MT

SEL for Young Learners

Learn how to sprinkle SEL magic from morning circle to math and everywhere in-between! Specifically designed for elementary educators, this workshop will help you take students’ social and emotional learning to the next level with strategies that excite, engage, and promote SEL beyond the TRAILS lessons. Infusing SEL throughout the day is needed to provide students with ample opportunities to exercise their inter- and intrapersonal skills in a safe and supportive classroom environment.

Objectives:

Learn strategies for incorporating SEL best practices throughout daily classroom routines.
Identify learning structures for activity facilitation that promote SEL best practices in the elementary classroom.

Register by selecting your preferred date:

Thursday, October 16, 10-11am ET / 8-9am MT

Thursday, February 19, 2-3pm ET / 12-2pm MT

SEL for Secondary Students

Teaching secondary education comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Join us to discuss the developmental and social factors that contribute to this dynamic. Our focus will be on learning key strategies for making TRAILS SEL lessons and SEL best practices more relevant, engaging, and impactful for adolescents.

Objectives:

Identify the developmental and social factors that make teaching SEL adolescent students both challenging and critical.
Identify practical suggestions and adaptations for increasing relevance and engagement in TRAILS lessons and in broader SEL best practices in the classroom.

Register by selecting your preferred date:

Tuesday, October 21, 10-11am ET / 8-9am MT

Tuesday, February 17, 2-3pm ET / 12-2pm MT

Other Offerings

Anxiety Seminar

We will do many somatic exercises (far beyond deep breathing) that will immediately diminish the intensity of anxiety. These are extremely helpful exercises that your team can begin utilizing with the students they work with. Also, our double board certified physician will take a portion of the conference and discuss nutrition, exercise, botanicals, and integrative health - all as it relates to diminishing anxiety.

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