Welcome to The Compassionate Classroom and practicing well -being in the classroom, school, and everyday life. I never thought much of well-being until I came to understand it. My hope is that the following curated resources will assist your own well-being and offer an opportunity for collegiality and wellness.

In 2013, former Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall got fined from the NFL for promoting Mental Health because he wore green shoes among the sea of midnight blue and orange during a Bears vs. Giants game. After the game Brandon tweeted, “Football is my platform not my purpose. This fine is nothing compared to the conversation started & awareness raised.” With the help of his wife, he used that moment to create Project 375, named for the color that represents mental health, Pantone Green, to promote mental awareness and to ease the stigma of it. That night changed me forever; mental health had become a personal and professional espousal.

One in five Americans are living with a mental health disorder. Many are proud to take off the label and show their true self instead of hiding behind the diagnosis. Brandon made me proud to not only be a Chicagoan, a Bear Fan, but an advocate for mental health awareness. I hope in this New Year my Compassionate Classroom followers will advocate for those who live with a mental health condition, will not allow being shamed or being told you are inappropriate for standing to ask for help and to ask for boundaries. I am hoping in 2020 there will be more education sought to understand how mental health affects us all whether it be with your students in your classrooms, your family members, your co-workers, or your own personal struggles. May we all be that outlier to make a change, may we understand that self-care is paramount to mental health and maybe that caring connection for the person who secretly struggles. To learn more about Project 375 click on the following link https://project375.org/

Learn important information on how to help someone who may have suicidal thoughts or feelings. Download the suicide prevention wallet card (PDF) or click on the button below, which identifies warning signs, specific steps to help someone and resources to get help.

Website: https://hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/services/mental-health-substance-use/suicide-prevention-wallet-card.pdf

Website: https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2016/01/23/behavior-around-service-dog-team.aspx

Email: Caryn.Sawlis@region10.org
Website: https://specialpopulations4.wixsite.com/traumasummit
Location: 904 Abrams Road, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: 972-348-1582