Mental Health Newsletter
January 2026
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.
Statistics
- In Michigan, in 2020 and 2021, children who died by suicide accounted for 16% of all fatal injuries to children aged 0-18 years old.2 Within this two-year period, children ages 10-18 died by suicide at an average rate of 5.5 deaths per 100,000 children, children ages 10-14 at an average rate of 2.1 and adolescents ages 15-18 at an average rate of 9.7 deaths per 100,000 children.
- According to the Children’s Hospital Association, suicide and self-injury cases among patients ages 5–18 seen at children’s hospital emergency departments increased by 169% between 2016 and 2021. Around one-fifth of all adolescent deaths are due to suicide; it is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10–14 and the third leading cause of death among those ages 15–24.
- A study published by the University of Rochester Medical Center showed that strong student-adult relationships in high schools correlated with lower suicide attempt rates.
Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?
It is the practice of being fully present & aware of your current experience with intentional, non-judgemental awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings.
Benefits
- Reduce stress
- Gain insight & awareness
- Increase our attention
- Better emotional regulation
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improved immune function
- Improved sleep
Practice
Healthy Lifestyle
- Exercise regularly- find/do something you ENJOY!
- Eat a balanced diet
- Stay hydrated- for every cup of coffee (this dehydrates) drink 3 cups of water
- Limit sugar and caffeine
- Prioritize sleep (7-9 hours)
- Engage in acts of kindness
- Build strong relationships
- Foster positive thinking
Professional Development
Poverty Simulation
A poverty simulation is an interactive experience designed to help participants understand the real-life challenges faced by individuals and families living in poverty. Rather than a lecture or documentary, it immerses people in scenarios that reflect the difficult decisions, trade-offs, and systemic barriers that people in poverty face every day.
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.
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.
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, 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: