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These are suggestions that any teacher cant try for any student...at any time!

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As part of California's ongoing mental health movement, the Take Action for Mental Health campaign is designed to help you check in, learn more, and get support for your own mental health or the mental health of someone you care about.

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It's so important to stop frequently during your lessons to check for understanding with your students. After all, is there a worse feeling than being met with blank faces after you've delivered an entire lesson? Use these strategies throughout the day to make sure everyone is on track. Here are twenty fun and simple ways to see who's good to go, who's almost there and who needs some one-on-one.

1. Use technology.

Source: The Primary Peach

One of the quickest ways to check for understanding is to have your kids hop on their device and use one of the awesome tech tools like Quizlet, Kahoot or Google forms to show what they know.

2. Ask open-ended questions.

Source: Ciara O'Neal

If you ask yes/no questions to check for understanding, some students may default to yes because they don't want to admit that they're not quite there yet. Asking open-ended questions requires a little more thought and helps draw out where they really are.

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3. Ask students to give a physical response.

Image source: YouTube

This can be a fun way to end a lesson, and students love it! Ask students to do something like put their hands on their head for yes and stand on one leg for no. Or ask a question and tell students to clap once if the answer is true and do jazz hands if it is false. Use your imagination and change it up each time.

4. Use emojis.

Source: Teach and Shoot

Prepare cards to leave at students' desks like the one above. Let students attach their clips to show their level of understanding.

5. Ask questions "on the fly."

Stop frequently to ask questions as you go through your lesson. See if students can make connections, define words, answer questions and explain concepts. Make it a natural part of your process so that your students will know they are coming and pay attention.

6. Use checkmarks.

Source: Mrs. Beattie's Classroom

Take a page out of The Daily Five 's book and create these checkmarks to help your students remember to check for understanding as they read.

7. Show your thumbs.

Source: Shutterstock

Sometimes all it takes is a quick thumbs up or thumbs down (or even thumbs sideways) to make sure your students are all still on board. Stop frequently to check in and have your students hold them up high so you can take account.

8. Use exit tickets.

Source: Mr. Elementary Math

Download this cute freebie to create these exit tickets. Students can write the question of the day at the top and turn in their responses on the way out.

9. Flash whiteboards.

Image source: Pinterest

Ask one quick question that shows students are keeping up and have them write their answers on individual whiteboards. Do a quick sweep before they put them down. Pull any students together that still need more and re-teach.

10. Give it a four-finger rating.

Source: Mrs. Wheeler's First Grade Tidbits

Teach your students this quick check method and check in often to see where everyone stands. Pair up students who flash a 3 or 4 with students who flash a 1 or 2.

11. Do a Quick Write.

Source: Sly Flourish

Ask just one question and have students jot a quick paragraph on an index card to show that they understand. Have them share their answer with a partner or collect the cards to review for the next day.

12. Post your name on the stop sign.

Source: Musings From the Middle School

This teacher blogger asks students to check for understanding by writing their name on a post-it, then attaching it to the stoplight on the appropriate color. She then groups students who need re-teaching and advises students who are ready to move on.

13. Give them a Yes/No question.

Check for understanding by asking students to flash a red piece of construction paper for no (they need a little more explanation) or a green piece of construction paper for yes (they get it and are ready to move on). Alternatively, laminate squares of red and green construction paper and glue them back to back to large popsicle sticks to make paddles for your students to show.

14. Do a self-assessment.

Source: Not So Wimpy Teacher

Download this free resource and print up a stack of self-assessment cards in different colors for different subjects. Pass them out as exit tickets to plan for the next lesson period.

15. Draw a T-chart.

Ask your students to tell you five (or whatever number you think is sufficient) things they learned from the lesson. Have them make a T-chart and on the left-hand side write a fact or opinion, and on the right side, give evidence to support their fact or opinion.

16. Do a quick sort.

Source: The Science Penguin

Ask one question that you feel shows an understanding of the concept you are teaching. Have students write their answers on cards and collect them. Sort cards into piles: Got it, Almost There, and Re-Teaching Needed. Divide students into groups based on their answers and keep teaching.

17. Pick a card, any card.

Source: Upper Elementary Snapshots

Print these free cards, laminate them, and connect them together with a ring or twist tie. Give one copy to each student to keep on their desk. When it comes time to check for understanding, students can just flip to the appropriate card, and you can do a quick check by color to see who still needs help.

18. Display mini flip charts.

Source: The Elementary Math Maniac

Make your own or if you're not the crafty sort, buy 12 of these desktop flip charts for $16.49 from Really Great Stuff.

19. Use cooperative learning structures.

Source: 4th Grade Racers

This teacher/blogger uses cooperative learning structures to check for understanding in a fun and engaging way.

20. Reference this chart.

Source: Mia MacMeekin

This amazing infographic shows all kinds of imaginative ways to check for understanding. Print out a copy and display it in your classroom for inspiration.

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Avoid the sea of blank faces at the end of a lesson with these teacher-tested and easy-to-use ways to check for understanding.

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It's time we talked about mental health. Share what's on your mind.

I've struggled with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember.
It's gotten a lot better since last month due to the fact that I've learned how to manage and cope with it properly; Although I still get the random waves of sadness/ anxiousness every now and then. If anyone is reading this please don't be afraid to speak up and talk to someone if you're in need of help; We need to break the stigma of mental health and start taking action ❤️❤️ I'm an abuse survivor/ trauma survivor and I can tell you firsthand that it's hard to overcome which is why I've been so silent about it the past few years but now I wanna use my voice and spread awareness about this and about mental health as well.

I'm 64, when a lot of people are thinking about their retirement or already have. I compare myself to my brother and best friends, who are very financially comfortable.
I've made bad choices all along, sabotaging myself and doing things ass backwards. Lots of people work in the NE,the retire to the affordable South. One huge point of shame is never finishing college. I was a PTA instead of a PT, making abt 2/3 of them. I tried to go back to school but couldn't, handle work and school.

Just as I was thinking abt leaving the South to come home to NJ, I met and married the biggest mistake of my life. Of course. He was textbook narcissist, and I put up with it for 10 years, another point of shame. He ran me into the ground during a 4 yr divorce. I had an extremely emotionally/verbally abusive father, so married Daddy. The shame piles on.

I finally got it together to move, but didn't have a job or place to live. Shame. Living with my brother/SIL, who've been great, but do NOT get BP. There have been so many things to decide, I'm so overwhelmed, and he said "it's simple; just make a decision. The world is full of flat squirrels who couldn't decide which way to go" He was trying to be helpful, but just reinforced how inadequate I feel and what a failure I am,

I'm not anxious/frightened/shamed/overwhelmed because I can't get my shit together. I tried to tell him that is exactly part of my illness, but he doesn't make the connection. So, the stigma remains, the shame grows, and I feel more and more like I don't feel like fighting anymore. I'm exhausted. Tired of feeling like a failure. Tired of being perceived as making excuses. I'm just tired.

Hi my name is Morgan M., thank you so much for taking the time to hear part of my Mental Health Journey. This is difficult for me to talk about so please be kind and laugh at my jokes (well... normally I laugh a lot but I'm not sure where this will go, we'll see)! My story starts during one of my first memories as a child. My mother came home from a very bad accident. From popping her occasional pill, losing her mind to slitting her wrist in front of me and my twin sister, looking at me saying "this is what you do to me." That stuck with me because of the shame and guilt I had already been very familiar with. Shortly thereafter I overheard my mother talking about wanting to kill herself to a childhood friend's mother.

Of course I felt to blame, nightly panic attacks aren't the easiest to deal with. My mother decided to find Doctors to prescribe me medication at a very young age. Topamax, Risperdal, Adderall, Xanax, Wellbutrin ('m sure I'm missing a few).This medication adventure started when I was 6. Even though I was an unstable nuisance to my mother, she loved me. I know with her issues she was not fit to handle a child with my needs and I have forgiven her for that. I remember gaining a ton of weight that 8th grade year and pretending to take Risperdal. I came to find out she was putting it in my food. In her defense I would stay up for days but still there should have been other options explored first.

For the sake of keeping this short and sweet we will skip high school (when I lost all the weight) and go to college and my mother was not doing well. I used to check up on her everyday on my way to class and she was heavy on dope that day, my ex at the time said he knew, and came to find out he was selling it to her. That relationship obviously didn't last but all the betrayal was taking its toll. The mental, physical and emotional abuse made me feel not only misunderstood and alone but ashamed and worthless. A constant burden whom my family would be better off without.

I think back now and say to myself, wow you poor little girl, I wish you knew how unique you are and cannot wait until you love yourself.

I was tired of being tired, and I do know the feeling of being happy and all I wanted was to have that feeling more times than not (but it is DEF OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY) We just want more good days than bad. Once I realized the source of my depression it I knew I had to ditch those habits (I know easier said than done) but if nothing else be consistent in even the smallest things! Stop relying on the expectations of others, focus on your good qualities, go to therapy/support groups to talk to a Professional and like-minded people without judgment.

I'm strong AF

Once I realized I was ignoring parts of myself I needed to care for and stopped living by the expectations of others I felt free to start loving myself. I only surround myself with positive people who I know care about me. I am at a point in my life where I can say that I haven't sunk into a major depression for the largest stretch of time since I was in my late teens/early 20s. I feel powerful, like I can do anything. This coming from someone who years ago was hanging on by a thread, living day-to-day in misery, living my nights wondering how I will feel tomorrow makes me confident anyone can live a functional happy life with Mental Health issues.

Those of us who struggle with Mental Health know the feeling of guilt and shame all too well. Those out there who judge are weak and ignorant with no respect or class. They are the people who should be ashamed, not us.

What helps me stay consistent, stable, worth-it, happy, but remember it's OKAY not to be OKAY it doesn't mean you fell off it means you fell, everybody does!

Positive support system

Consistency

Yoga/meditation

Medications (in some cases)

Helping Others

Forgiving those who have hurt you

Know your strength, a lot of people could not live with Mental Health problems

KNOW YOU ARE WORTHY - Share your hardships, inspire others... you are worth more than you know

Positive Affirmations

Stay Away From People Who Make You Feel Anything But Joy

Thanks again for taking the time to read this!

In the previous lockdown, I started to feel very anxious, often I would cry and wouldn't even know the reason why I was crying. I told my parents that I want to opt for Therapy. My parents have always been aware about mental health issues because my mom has had OCD and depression. They agreed and supported￼￼ me. I went to the therapist, the same therapist who treated my mom. I told her about my issue and the required treatment began in September 2020. She suggested that I go to a psychiatrist too because she felt I needed more than just Therapy. The psychiatrist again was the same person who treated my mom. I got the required treatment and the required support. By January 2021, I began to heal and I came out stronger. Instead of victimising my struggle with anxiety, I felt like a badass for smiling, talking, studying and doing the same things that any other person would do, even with such a turmoil in my head. I started to talk about my story on social media platforms because I knew that there is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health even today.

I started out with the intention of voicing my story for myself, to make myself proud but when my first article got published, I received over 20 mails and DMs. Out of those 20 people, most of them told me that they had been suffering from anxiety since a long time and asked me for advice on how they can overcome their anxiety. What I could do at Max was to be there as a listener when they were in pain;provide emotional support. I suggested that they take professional help. The replies that I got from ￼most of them really saddened me. Almost all of them told me that professional help is not an option for them because their family does not believe in mental health issues. Some of them were way too afraid to tell their loved ones that they were suffering from a mental health issue because they thought that would really worry their family as mental health issues are considered such a big deal in various societies.￼ Some said Therapy or any kind of professional help regarding mental health, is way too expensive for them. They told me about how they were in pain, how their chest would feel heavy, how their head would start to pain because of the anxiety they felt all day long and how they wanted to just get rid of all the turmoil that was there in their heads.

That was the day that completely changed me and my purpose. All of a sudden, the interviews and the articles were lesser for myself and more for all these people. The word started to spread just like I wanted it to, I'm still on it. The biggest achievement for me on behalf of all the anxiety sufferers and survivors was when the article was taken up by UNICEF. There are highly educated people who tell me that mental health illnesses are merely a *state of mind*. I find no point in trying to change their mind. So I go ahead on this journey, spreading awareness to the ones willing to learn and learning from the ones willing to make aware. The next step in this journey is to get on the ground and do the same, engage in conversations with people about mental health in vulnerable areas, under developed areas.

Professional help regarding mental health is still a privilege/luxury. Why most people refused professional help for anxiety is because of two reasons. ￼The first reason being the stigma surrounding mental health issues and the second reason is￼ the lack of affordability of mental health aid resources. People are made to believe that mental health issues do not require professional help. We need to understand that our mind is a part of our body. If we seek help for a typhoid fever, we can similarly seek help for mental health issues. This is the most important reason I decided to talk about my story because I wanted people to know that it's normal. We can talk about anxiety and mental health illnesses just like we talk about any other disease or discomfort. Our mind is a part of our body. If the body needs help at times then so does the mind. Time for us to normalise mental health, break the stigma surrounding it and make therapy a little more accessible and affordable for all. Therapy should no more be a privilege or a luxury. The least we can do to break the stigma and normalise these issues, is by talking about them, reaching out to more and more people. Let's do it! Be kind, be aware and make aware. High time we get over these taboos! I think established psychiatrists and therapists can take out one day in a week to provide mental health aid for free to people who can't afford it. I feel anxiety survivors should start to talk about their health issues. Here I am, an anxiety survivor, still striving to get better while talking about my entire journey to let the people know that mental health issues are normal and therapy should be normalised in terms of accessibility and affordability both. I wish to reach out to as many people as I can through this article to spread the word. I wish to help people realise that they need to stop worrying about how their family would react or what their friends would think and seek the required help. Also i want therapy to be seen as a way of discovering yourself rather than just a way to recover from a mental illness. Even a person without a mental health issue can opt for therapy if they're tensed about a certain phase of their life. A lot of people still remain unaware about the NGOs that provide free mental health aid resources. I wish to reach out to people like myself and tell them that speak up and speak a little louder about your health issues. There's nothing to be ashamed of or victim-like. Having an illness, whether physical or mental, and yet going on with your daily life is such a badass thing to do! I wish i could make my past self realise this. But i know there are a million others out there who need to hear these words.

Personally, I have successfully driven over 10 people since 2021 started, to opt for the required help and take care of their mental health. I wish to do the same for a thousand more.

Hi my name is Morgan M., thank you so much for taking the time to hear part of my Mental Health Journey. This is difficult for me to talk about so please be kind and laugh at my jokes (well... normally I laugh a lot but I'm not sure where this will go, we'll see)! My story starts during one of my first memories as a child. My mother came home from a very bad accident. From popping her occasional pill, losing her mind to slitting her wrist in front of me and my twin sister, looking at me saying "this is what you do to me." That stuck with me because of the shame and guilt I had already been very familiar with. Shortly thereafter I overheard my mother talking about wanting to kill herself to a childhood friend's mother.

Of course I felt to blame, nightly panic attacks aren't the easiest to deal with. My mother decided to find Doctors to prescribe me medication at a very young age. Topamax, Risperdal, Adderall, Xanax, Wellbutrin ('m sure I'm missing a few).This medication adventure started when I was 6. Even though I was an unstable nuisance to my mother, she loved me. I know with her issues she was not fit to handle a child with my needs and I have forgiven her for that. I remember gaining a ton of weight that 8th grade year and pretending to take Risperdal. I came to find out she was putting it in my food. In her defense I would stay up for days but still there should have been other options explored first.

For the sake of keeping this short and sweet we will skip high school (when I lost all the weight) and go to college and my mother was not doing well. I used to check up on her everyday on my way to class and she was heavy on dope that day, my ex at the time said he knew, and came to find out he was selling it to her. That relationship obviously didn't last but all the betrayal was taking its toll. The mental, physical and emotional abuse made me feel not only misunderstood and alone but ashamed and worthless. A constant burden whom my family would be better off without.

I think back now and say to myself, wow you poor little girl, I wish you knew how unique you are and cannot wait until you love yourself.

I was tired of being tired, and I do know the feeling of being happy and all I wanted was to have that feeling more times than not (but it is DEF OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY) We just want more good days than bad. Once I realized the source of my depression it I knew I had to ditch those habits (I know easier said than done) but if nothing else be consistent in even the smallest things! Stop relying on the expectations of others, focus on your good qualities, go to therapy/support groups to talk to a Professional and like-minded people without judgment.

I'm strong AF

Once I realized I was ignoring parts of myself I needed to care for and stopped living by the expectations of others I felt free to start loving myself. I only surround myself with positive people who I know care about me. I am at a point in my life where I can say that I haven't sunk into a major depression for the largest stretch of time since I was in my late teens/early 20s. I feel powerful, like I can do anything. This coming from someone who years ago was hanging on by a thread, living day-to-day in misery, living my nights wondering how I will feel tomorrow makes me confident anyone can live a functional happy life with Mental Health issues.

Those of us who struggle with Mental Health know the feeling of guilt and shame all too well. Those out there who judge are weak and ignorant with no respect or class. They are the people who should be ashamed, not us.

What helps me stay consistent, stable, worth-it, happy, but remember it's OKAY not to be OKAY it doesn't mean you fell off it means you fell, everybody does!

Positive support system

Consistency

Yoga/meditation

Medications (in some cases)

Helping Others

Forgiving those who have hurt you

Know your strength, a lot of people could not live with Mental Health problems

KNOW YOU ARE WORTHY - Share your hardships, inspire others... you are worth more than you know

Positive Affirmations

Stay Away From People Who Make You Feel Anything But Joy

Thanks again for taking the time to read this!

I've always struggled with depression, and lately it feels like its getting worse. I feel as if my "friends" are using me as they don't listen to the rules of the house ( they live with me) Im the only one who really cleans, im going back to school to get my ged but it feels like i just don't have the energy to sit at a computer for hours on end anymore. Im getting married tomorrow but im more scared than excited because i don't know if it'll change anything . im just so tired of caring. My step daughters mom keeps asking me to watch her baby who's not in anyway Dustin's but she keeps skimping on the money she promised to pay me. I know Ill snap soon but i keep telling my self " 2 more months til they leave" but that 2 months has become 4 and idk how much longer i can keep my mouth shut

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It's time we talked about mental health. Share what's on your mind. I've struggled with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. It's gotten a lot better since last month due to the fact that I've learned how to manage and cope with it properly; Although I still get the random waves of sadness/ anxiousness every now and then.

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Hello! Are you curious about what it's like to be in someone else's shoes? Do you want to learn about other people's lives? Curiosity and learning are great, so lace up, strap on, or slip on your sneakers and let's learn about mental health. Learning about other people can help you understand that they're still a lot like you - they're just on a journey in different shoes.

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Hello! Are you curious about what it's like to be in someone else's shoes? Do you want to learn about other people's lives? Curiosity and learning are great, so lace up, strap on, or slip on your sneakers and let's learn about mental health.

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A low-tech path to honoring feelings and managing behavior.
Find empathy, compassion, and confidence.
Get some cardboard and markers.
Learn the the language of color.
Find new conversations, new behaviors, renewed connection.

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A low-tech path to honoring feelings and managing behavior.Find empathy, compassion, and confidence.Get some cardboard and markers. Learn the the language of color. Find new conversations, new behaviors, renewed connection.

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National Registry of Evidence Based Practices and programs

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This guide supports health care providers, systems, and communities seeking to treat stimulant use disorders. It describes relevant research findings, examines emerging and best practices, identifies knowledge gaps and implementation challenges, and offers useful resources.

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evidence based practices resource center

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This guide supports health care providers, systems, and communities seeking to treat stimulant use disorders. It describes relevant research findings, examines emerging and best practices, identifies knowledge gaps and implementation challenges, and offers useful resources.

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These are suggestions that any teacher cant try for any student...at any time!

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All kids and needs need positive activities to help calm the body and mind. Use these resources to help create a virtual calm down room or just to add to the self-regulation strategies you are already using. Calming Website Activities & Games Do Nothing for 2 MinutesWeave Silk DrawingTangr

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The Alert Program® has boiled down complex theory to create simple, practical solutions you can incorporate into your every day living.

One of the analogies we use with children is, "If your body is like a car engine, sometimes it runs on high (hyped up), sometimes it runs on low (lethargic), and sometimes it runs just right (alert and focused)." But it's not just children. We are all self-regulators.

Think about the ways you self-regulate. Do you need coffee in the morning to wake up? Do you take a brisk walk at lunch to keep you thinking clearly? Do you read before you go to bed to wind down for sleep?

The more we all learn about self-regulation, the better we can handle life's challenges. It helps us bring out our best selves.

We can show you how. We have been studying and sharing about self-regulation since 1990. Consider us your go-to source for solutions for yourself and co-workers, as well as your children, students, clients, family, and team members.

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Self-Regulation Alert Program® Online | AOTA Approved Provider

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Alert Program® (AOTA approved provider) teaches parents, teachers, & therapists to be "detectives" learning how to use simple sensory strategies.

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National Resource Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention

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National Resource Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention

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A series of interactive, self-paced learning modules on selecting, preparing for, and implementing evidence-based programs (EBPs) in school settings.

Since the publication of Module 1, SAMHSA has phased out the NREPP website. In April 2018, SAMHSA launched the Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center (Resource Center) that aims to provide communities, clinicians, policy makers, and others in the field with the information and tools they need to incorporate evidence-based practices into their communities or clinical settings.

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A series of interactive, self-paced learning modules on selecting, preparing for, and implementing evidence-based programs (EBPs) in school settings. Since the publication of Module 1, SAMHSA has phased out the NREPP website.

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Teachers are expected to do so much with students in only six hours a day.

It would be an easy job if all they had to do was teach the subject matter and go home. But their jobs are far greater.

Teachers are expected to act as parents, counselors, disciplinarians, tutors, and more. They have to create lesson plans, grade papers, coaching duties, mentoring clubs, attend meetings, communications with parents, and teaching. Classroom sizes range from fifteen to thirty students.

If only five of those have mental health problems, that is a huge burden for the teacher. Not only does he or she have to teach subject material geared so students can pass the state testing, they also have to do this while dealing with the mental health issues kids may be exhibiting.

In addition, teachers may have their own mental health issues to overcome each day.

As a parent, you want to make sure your child's learning environment is set up so they are successful.

Learning about the mental health disorders that are most common among kids is a good first step. You can also learn what your child's teacher should be doing to help, what they should not be doing, and what you can do to make it better.

Common Mental Health Disorders Among Students

Mental health disorders in schools are on the rise with reports showing one in five students experiencing mental health problems.

The most common mental health disorders among students are depression, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, tourette syndrome, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, substance abuse and eating disorders.

School systems have many resources available to students and families to help with diagnosing and treating most issues.

A school can have counselors, school psychologists, social workers, teacher aids, student aids, learning development classrooms, time out classrooms, and many alternative teaching abilities.

It is important to implement these into a child's teaching plan.

Recognizing Mental Health Disorders in Students

Depression and anxiety can be seen in students who sleep throughout class, seem tearful or exhibit crying at different times throughout the day, or just seem sad or to have the blues.

They may also skip school to stay in bed or out of fear of leaving their comfort zone. Attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is quite noticeable in students' behaviors. They are high energy and find it hard to sit still or stay focused on tasks.

They may find it hard to sit still and without even thinking about it, they get out of their desk and move around the room.

The one disorder that may not be as obvious in the classroom is an eating disorder.

However, a student with an eating disorder can have very difficult time learning. On top of looking for specific eating behaviors that are associated with disorders, teachers can also look out for the student being withdrawn or isolated, weight loss, or trying to cover up their weight loss with baggy clothing.

Substance abuse is another area of importance and most of the time, a student who has been using substances exhibits noticeable behaviors including slurred words, staggering walk, falling asleep or hyperactivity that is unusual for the student.

How Teachers Help Students with Mental Health Disorders

Teachers can take steps in their classroom to help recognize mental health issues in students.

They can educate themselves and others on the symptoms of mental health issues, provide a safe environment, encourage good health, and help students access mental health resources. PBS News explains that students spend six or more hours a day at school and it is inevitable that teachers will encounter the mental health issues of students.

A teacher's perceptions of mental health disorders, their role in regards to a student's mental health disorders and the barriers to helping a student is important to their success.

There is a clear connection between mental health and academic performance.

If a student is dealing with social anxiety, it may be harder for them to participate in a class group discussion. If a student has an eating disorder, they will not feel comfortable during the class food party. If a student has been through a trauma such as sexual abuse the night before, they are certainly not going to care how to solve word problems in math. Teachers can make a difference just by recognizing signs and symptoms students are exhibiting.

Each mental health disorder has its own set of emotional and behavioral symptoms.

In addition, teachers can take steps to be culturally sensitive, create awareness, and work with students and their families to make sure the students are receiving the best help available.

Having a flexible classroom culture can help students with mental health disorders because the kids aren't expected to be perfect.

Instead, they are expected to work on improving their own behavior through self-regulation and taking opportunities to figure out what they need to make their behaviors better.

Responding to a student's mental health disorder can be done with several strategies including: teaching the student's problem solving skills, helping students set goals, creating accommodations for the student when situations arise that need interventions or redirection.

Accommodations that teachers can give to students include the following:

Special seating, especially near the door to allow leaving class for breaks

Assigned classmate as volunteer assistant

Beverages permitted in class

Tape recorder use

Note taker or photocopy of another student's notes

Private feedback on academic performance

Exams in alternate format such as orally versus essay form

Use of assistive computer software to help them sear or understand better

Extended time for test taking

Exam in a separate, quiet, and non-distracting room

Substitute assignments in specific circumstances

Permission to submit assignments handwritten rather than typed

Written assignments in lieu of oral presentations or vice versa

Extended time to complete assignments

Teachers can send healthy messages to students.

Help students realize their self-worth is not based on grades, that mental wellbeing is just as important as academic performance, and that they are supportive of them. Mental Health America suggests there are several things a teacher can do to promote positive mental health among students.

Know the warning signs of mental illness

Seek the help of school counselors or psychologists to determine if testing or assessments are needed for the student.

Implement preventive techniques with students, including social skills training

Educate students on mental health

Crisis counseling for students following a traumatic event

Classroom management skills training for teachers.

Allow your students to discuss troubling events at school or in the community

Encourage students to verbally describe their emotions

Teachers Hindering Mental Health

Signs that your child's teacher is hindering your child's mental health include not welcoming parents, retaliation on students who report to their parents, dropping grades, fatigue, stress, negative statements made about teacher.

Teachers can be bullies and although rare, they are usually older teachers or those considered veterans of the school. They rarely get punished for their behavior.

At each school there is at least one teacher who can be identified as mistreating students or having favorites/ non-favorites. Bullying by teachers is complex because there can be a thin line between disciplining a student and abusing a student. While teacher bullying is rare, it has happened in some schools.

Other ways your child's teacher may be hindering their success is by ignoring their problems, by not referring them to in school mental health professionals, and by not informing you of any issues. Steps to take if your child is being bullied include going up the chain of command, help your child have confidence, do not let the bullying continue; talk with your child before going straight to the teacher and complaining.

You want to make sure your child knows what is going on every step of the way so they do not encounter any surprises at school and so they know what to report to you if there are ever cases of retaliation.

There seems to be a lack of school policies addressing how to handle teachers who are found to be bullying students.

There are plenty of resources for teachers who get bullied by students. However, not much is available when the student is the one being bullied by the teacher. As a parent, you can help implement such policies by working with the school to create them.

Areas for Teacher Improvement

Most teachers do not claim to be experts in the field of mental health and they will most likely say this is one area that they need improvement.

One specific area of improvement for teachers is their level of training they receive regarding mental health disabilities among students. Fortunately, teachers have access to many avenues of training. Educating teachers needs to be a priority.

There are many things teachers can learn about mental health among students. Recognize the difference between bad behavior and mental health issue. Recognize warning signs. Connect the student to resources. Work with parents. By doing so, teachers can help the students feel welcome and encourage them to learn, help parents feel confident in where they are sending their child for a proper education, and the teacher to feel confident in how to handle children with problems. It is not okay for a teacher to call student names, to constantly punish one kid for a particular behavior that all kids may be doing, or for a teacher to neglect a child because he or she does not want to deal with their mental health issue.

Teachers have a huge impact on each child they teach.

Therefore, it is important that teachers receive the mental health treatment they too may need. Maybe it is a vacation they need; maybe it is counseling and medication. Whatever it is, the school needs to pay attention to the needs of each teacher so they are at their fullest ability when teaching.

The administrators need to be mindful enough to help teachers who may be struggling with their own mental health.

This should not be ignored. The teacher's mental health status will directly impact the student's mental health status.

What Can Parents Do

Documenting everything is the first and most important step of trying to get changes made in your child's education.

If it is not documented, it did not happen.

As a parent, you can make sure your child's mental health issue is under control by keeping your child in treatment. You can be mindful of the triggers that your child may encounter and teach your child how to handle these situations.

Keep the lines of communication completely open with your child's teacher and do not get defensive if they have bad news. Focus on finding a solution to the problem together. Do not defend your child if your child has done something wrong.

Your child needs to know that he will not get away with bad behaviors at home or school. Make sure your child takes his or her medications on time every day. Working with your child's teacher and school will make the learning environment best for everyone in the classroom.

Show your child's teacher that you support him or her and that you value their input and assistance. Do not make your child's teacher the enemy. Work as a team to meet the needs of your child.

Volunteer at your child's school or in his or her classroom and be an assistant to the teacher.

You will learn a great deal about what a teacher faces each day and also about how your child's teacher responds to negative situations. You can also do some impromptu training of the teacher and show them how to best to respond to your child's mental health issues when they arise. But be willing to accept feedback from the teacher about your methods. Be open minded. Be a model parent that other parents can follow when they encounter difficult situations.

Finally, make sure your child feels loved and cared for unconditionally.

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How Teacher Help Students with Mental Health Disorders | Vantage Point

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Teachers are expected to do so much with students in only six hours a day. It would be an easy job if all they had to do was teach the subject matter and go home. But their jobs are far greater. Teachers are expected to act as parents, counselors, disciplinarians, tutors, and more.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Learn about different types of mental disorders in children, including symptoms, treatment, and what can be done to prevent them.