The social work team at Midwestern Intermediate IV is excited to announce the monthly newsletters that will be distributed at each LEA meeting. Each month, the newsletter will reflect the topic that is covered at the LEA meeting. We hope you enjoy the resources and information.

This month's newsletter is focused on mental health for all. Developing a mental health newsletter for educators was a little tricky, as mental health encompasses many aspects. One theme that keeps emerging is connection. Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued. Meaningful relationships and connections are the foundation of trauma-informed care, mental health awareness, suicide prevention awareness, and learning.

• 1 in 6 American children aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.
• 50% of all mental health conditions begin by age 14.
• 50–80% of school-aged children do not receive the mental health care they need.

Protective experiences and coping skills can help balance significant adversity in a child's life. Resilience is demonstrated when a child’s health and development show positive outcomes, even when they face numerous challenges. It's important for educators to recognize these protective elements and support students in developing their coping skills to foster resilience.

PCEs are social and emotional influences that come from how adults interact with children. They can help children develop a foundation for optimal childhood development and flourishing mental and social connectedness in adulthood.

• Feel able to talk with family about your feelings
• Feel that your family stood by you during difficult times
• Enjoy participating in community traditions
• Feel a sense of belonging in school
• Feel supported by friends
• Have at least two non-parent adults who took a genuine interest in you
• Feel safe and protected by an adult in your home

REMEMBER the more PCEs a child has, the more likely they are to be healthy and resilient.

1. Choose one student whom you would like to strengthen your relationship with.
2. Select when you are going to approach the student (e.g., at the beginning of a class period).
3. Find the student and start a conversation with them. To build a productive relationship with a student, adults will likely have to initiate the connection.

Tips:

• Keep the content of the conversation focused on the student's personal interests, not their schoolwork or behavior.
• Consistency is key
• Ask open-ended questions
• Be a positive role model

The daily process of being aware of and attending to one’s basic physiological and emotional needs including the shaping of one’s daily routine, relationships, and environment. (Catherine P. Cook-Cottone [psychologist], 2015)

It is planned and intentional!

Need more information or resources? Feel free to contact the MIU IV Social Work Team!

Bryda Drumm, LSW, H&SV, C-SSW

Jennifer Guthrie, LCSW, C-SSW

Sara Joseph, MSW, LSW, C-SSW

socialwork@miu4.org