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Support

Teachers and adults who work with children and youth play a key role in supporting students who experience mental health difficulties.  In this section, find out how you can SUPPORT children and youth by promoting mental well-being in the classroom, reducing the stigma associated with mental health difficulties, increasing students’ willingness to ask for help when needed, and providing accommodations and a context in which troubled youth can achieve optimally.

Mental Health Support Resources

Mental Health
Supporting Students with Attention Difficulties

This brief report describes the results of a research study of young adults with learning and attention difficulties. Participants answered …

Mental Health
Coping Strategies for When Everything Seems Awful

“You are stronger than you think.”

This free, open-source, shareable and customizable handout contains a list of questions to ask …

Mental Health
Keeping Children Safe from Trauma, Violence, and Neglect

The Australian Childhood Foundation website provides educators and mental health professionals with resources and training on how to provide support

Mental Health
A resource guide for supporting Students through Trauma

Making Space for Learning: Trauma Informed Practice in Schools, developed by the Australian Childhood Foundation, is a research

Mental Health
Alcohol-use prevention program for middle school

Project Northland is an alcohol-use prevention program developed for students in grades 6-8 by Cheryl Perry and colleagues at the …

Mental Health
Teenage alcohol prevention program using real-world social and legal consequences

Class Action is an alcohol-use prevention program developed for students grades 9-12 by Cheryl Perry and colleagues at the University …

Mental Health
An App that Helps to Improve Mood

MoodKit is a low-cost app designed to help users manage symptoms of depression. Through four main features, this app enables …

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Mental Health
An Online Support Tool that Helps Individuals in Distress

Koko is a free online service that provides emotional support on social media networks. The simple interface allows users to …

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Mental Health
Free Apps to support Positive Mental Well-being

With funding from the National Institutes of Health, researchers at NorthWestern university have developed a suite of free apps designed …

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Mental Health
Sleep management tips for people with Depression

The sleep experts at Tuck.com have reviewed the latest research on the relationship between sleep and depression, including major depressive …

Mental Health
Sleep management tips for people with Anxiety

The sleep experts at Tuck.com have reviewed the latest research on the relationship between sleep and anxiety disorders, including generalized …

Mental Health
Sleep management tips for people with Autism

The sleep experts at Tuck.com have reviewed the latest research on the relationship between sleep and autism spectrum disorders (ASD), …

Mental Health
Sleep management tips for people with ADHD

The sleep experts at Tuck.com have reviewed the latest research on the relationship between sleep and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including …

Mental Health
Relationship between Sleep and Mental Health

This website reviews the latest research on the links between sleep and various mental health disorders, including: schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, …

Mental Health
Importance of Sleep for Teenagers

Written in easy to understand language for teens and adults, this article describes research on the links between getting enough …

Mental Health
Curriculum Tools for Building Drug and Gambling Literacy

Developed by the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, iMinds is …

Mental Health
Information about Mental Health Medications for children

Mental Health Medications for Children

This medication resource is designed specifically for school-based mental health providers (e.g., school counselors and school psychologists), and other educators …

Mental Health
How to Help Students who are Afraid to Speak in Public

Helping your child with selective mutism

This book provides information about selective mutism, an anxiety-based condition that causes children not to speak in certain situations. Teachers …

Mental Health
Teaching Social Skills to Youth

Social Skills Training

This 12-week social skills curriculum, developed by Dr. Jed Baker, director of the Social Skills Training Project, includes information about …

Mental Health
Social Skills Intervention for Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Social Skills Intervention

The PEERS Program (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) developed by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson at the University …

Mental Health
Supporting Students with Depression at School

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This book, produced by the National Association of Nurses, provides practical guidance and resources for teachers and school-based mental health …

Mental Health
What Teacher’s Need to Know About Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Teacher's guide to adhd

Written specifically for teachers, this guide provides practical, evidence-based tools to help students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience academic success. …

Mental Health
What You Need to Know about Medication and Mental Health Treatment

Straight talk

A useful resource for teachers and parents, leading child psychiatrists Dr. Timothy Wilens and Dr. Paul Hammerness provide answers to …

Mental Health
Advice for Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Taking charge of adult adhd

Learn essential life tips and strategies for managing Attention-Deficity/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from one of the foremost experts on the condition, …

Mental Health
Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Student’s Social Skills

Promoting Social Skills in the Inclusive Classroom

Full of practical, hands-on strategies, this book provides educators with the tools they need to help improve the social skills …

Mental Health
10 Simple Techniques for Managing Anxiety

The 10 Best Ever Anxiety

This book, authored by Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg, a licensed psychologist in Missouri, USA, offers readers practical strategies to manage anxiety. …

Mental Health
An Executive Skills Approach to Helping Teens with ADHD

Smart but scattered teens

This book, authored by Dr. Peg Dawson and Dr. Richard Guare from the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders in …

Mental Health
An Executive Skills Approach to Helping Kids with ADHD

Smart but scattered

This book, authored by Dr. Peg Dawson and Dr. Richard Guare from the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders in …

Mental Health
Promoting Child Well-being in Schools

Transforming School Mental Health Services

This volume edited by Dr. Beth Doll, Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Dr. Jack Cummings, Professor Emeritus at …

Mental Health
Helping Teens with Social Challenges Make Friends

The Science of Making Friends

Based on the PEERS program (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) developed at the University of California, …

Mental Health
An App for Teens who Struggle with Social Skills

Designed as a companion tool for the evidence-based PEERS program (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills), developed …

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Mental Health
Applying Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in School Settings

Trauma-Focused CBT

This book, authored by Dr. Judith Cohen and Dr. Anthony Mannarino, both professors of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of …

Mental Health
Teaching Mindfulness Strategies to Children and Adolescents

Teaching Mindfulness

This volume, edited by Dr. Christopher Willard, from Lesley University and Harvard Medical School and Dr. Amy Saltzman, a holistic …

Mental Health
Understanding and Helping Teens Who Engage in Self-Harm

Helping teens who cut

In this updated edition, noted mental health expert Dr. Michael Hollander of Harvard Medical School provides information and practical guidance …

Mental Health
FAQs about ADHD

Answers to Distraction

In their book “Answers to Distraction,” acclaimed ADHD experts Dr. Edward Hallowell and Dr. John Ratey from Harvard Medical School …

Mental Health
Classroom strategies for coping with common mental health problems: Healthy Minds Canada

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When Something’s Wrong: Strategies for Teachers is a 56-page resource booklet published in 2007 by the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation. …

Mental Health
A Program for Teaching Students about Resilience and Addressing Anxiety and Depression

The Friends for Life program, founded in 1990 in Australia by Dr. Paula Barrett, is designed to promote resilience and …

Mental Health
Online Lesson Plan for Increasing Mental Health Literacy and Reducing Stigma on Mental Illness

Healthy Minds, Healthy Youth: A Speak Up Lesson Activity, developed by Speak Up @ Mindcheck, provides an introductory …

Mental Health
Equipping Students and Educators with Mental Health First Aid Skills

Developed in 2001, Mental Health First Aid Australia serves as a national not-for-profit organization focusing on mental health training and …

Mental Health
Suicide Prevention Lessons and Video Resources for Grades 7-12

Kathleen Gasparini, a secondary health educator with over 20 years of experience, developed this lesson plan on suicide prevention for …

Mental Health
Teen Mental Health Guide for Parents and Caregivers

The Right By You campaign was created by Partners for Mental Health in Canada to improve mental health and prevent …

Mental Health
A Suicide Prevention Lesson Plan for Grades 9 to 12

This Teacher’s Guide developed by KidsHealth, an online health education resource supported by the Nemours Foundation, includes two lessons on …

Mental Health
A Suicide Prevention Lesson Plan for Grades 6 to 8

This Teacher’s Guide, developed by KidsHealth, an online health education resource supported by the Nemours Foundation in the U.S., includes …

Mental Health
Tools for Supporting Child and Youth Mental Health

The Collaborative Mental Health Care website was developed by child and youth mental health clinicians in Calgary, Hamilton and Ottawa, …

Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness for Schools

This comprehensive website, presented by the Canadian Mental Health Association, includes general information and strategies for maintaining mental wellness, as …

Mental Health
Suicide Prevention Training for Teachers

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid provided by LivingWorks Education, an …

Mental Health
What educators can do to help a traumatized child at school

This is a straightforward list of 14 specific, practical ideas for educators to help support traumatized children in their classrooms. …

Mental Health
Some tips on self-care for educators working with children with trauma

Recognizing that educators working directly with traumatized children and adolescents are vulnerable to the effects of trauma, this information sheet, …

Mental Health
How schools and educators can support refugee children’s adjustment to school in North America

This section of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) website outlines several considerations for schools and educators for supporting …

Mental Health
An online resource for understanding refugee trauma in children

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is a U.S. organization with a goal to improve access to care, treatment, …

Mental Health
Easy Classroom Accommodations for Students with ADHD

Written by a special education teacher, this blog post describes seven easy and accessible accommodations that can be implemented in …

Mental Health
A helpful app for managing anxiety

MindShift is a free, downloadable app for iPhone, iPad and android devices that is designed to help teens and young …

Mental Health
Working with Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders: Resources for Parents, Children, and Youth

AnxietyCanada (formerly known as AnxietyBC), established in 1999, is a non-profit organization that works to raise awareness about anxiety and …

Mental Health
Working Through Anxiety and Depression

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America is an international, non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of life for …

Mental Health
Use Cognitive Behavior Therapy Skills to Cope with Depression

Moodgym (Australia) is a free interactive training program developed to help young people learn cognitive behavior therapy skills for preventing …

Mental Health
Mental Health Assistance for Schools in Ontario, Canada

School Mental Health-ASSIST (SMH ASSIST) is a support team designed to aid Ontario’s 72 school boards in the promotion of …

Mental Health
Prevent and Manage Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems

The HereToHelp project was established in 2003 by the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information, with a goal …

Mental Health
Prevent Bullying and Substance Abuse, Promote Student Mental Health and SEL

PromotePrevent.org is a website that is part of a global non-profit organization, The Education Development Centre Inc., which designs, delivers …

Mental Health
Understanding Dissociation in the classroom and strategies to support these students: The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation

The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to developing and …

Mental Health
Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Promoting positive body image – The Eating Disorder Prevention Program – Jessie’s Legacy

This link on “Promoting Positive Body Image and Preventing Disordered Eating” is part of the Eating Disorder Prevention Program – …

Mental Health
Information about Pediatric Bipolar Disorder and how to support these students: The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

Educating the Child with Bipolar Disorder is a 12-page resource booklet published in 2007 by the Child & Adolescent Bipolar …

Mental Health
Ways to support students with Trichotillomania: The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors

The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors is dedicated to providing information and support to individuals suffering with compulsive hair …

Mental Health
A comprehensive overview of Tourette Syndrome and general classroom strategies: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

This link on Tourette Syndrome is part of a larger, online resource providing information on neurological disorders that was prepared …

Mental Health
Understanding Tourette Syndrome and how to support individuals with it: Tourette Canada

Tourette Canada

Tourette Canada is a volunteer-based, charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of those with Tourette syndrome through education, support …

Mental Health
Practical recommendations and interventions for Suicide and Suicidal Ideation: The University of Delaware College of Education and Human Development

The following link leads to a 7-page PDF entitled, Suicidal ideation and behavior: Recommendations for schools in preventing and addressing

Mental Health
Learning about the development of Substance Use Disorder and approaches to prevention and intervention: The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

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This link leads to a 90-page PDF report entitled, Childhood and Adolescent Pathways to Substance Use Disorders, published by …

Mental Health
Behavioral health facts and classroom tips for Substance Use Disorder: The Colorado Department of Education

The following link leads to a website where you can scroll down and click on substance use disorders under mental …

Mental Health
How teachers can help students who Stutter: MyHealth.Alberta.ca

This Canadian link on How a Teacher Can Help a Student Who Stutters, is part of a larger, online …

Mental Health
A Stuttering resource for children, teachers and parents: The International Stuttering Association

This link leads to a stuttering resource made available by the International Stuttering Association (ISA). Visitors to the site will …

Mental Health
Classroom strategies for students with Sensory Processing Disorder: The Sensory Processing Disorder Resource Center

The following link on dealing with children and Sensory Processing Disorder at school is one of several topics on Sensory …

Mental Health
An overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Anxiety and Depression Association of America

This link on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is part of a larger online resource developed by the Anxiety and Depression …

Mental Health
Learning about the causes, risk factors, and treatment options for Panic Disorder: Teen Mental Health

This link on panic disorder is part of a larger online resource made available by Teen Mental Health. Teen …

Mental Health
Helping adults recognize Panic Disorder in youth: Anxiety Canada

This link on panic disorder is part of a larger, online resource on anxiety disorders developed by the Anxiety Disorders …

Mental Health
Medical/disability information for classroom teachers of students with Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Learn Alberta

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This link leads to a four-page PDF resource for classroom teachers on oppositional defiant disorder. Following a brief description of …

Mental Health
An overview of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and school-based interventions for it: The Mood & Anxiety Disorders Institute

This link on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) provides visitors to the site with an overview of what OCD is and what …

Mental Health
Perfectionism in the classroom: An article looking at what it looks like and classroom-based interventions

This link leads to a 9-page article titled; Perfectionism: Its Manifestations and Classroom-Based Interventions. The article by Nugent (full …

Mental Health
Learning about Kleine-Levin Syndrome through videos and detailed case histories: KLS Support UK

The KLS Support website in the United Kingdom was started in 2011 by mothers whose children were suffering from Kleine-Levin …

Mental Health
Teaching students with eating disorders: Bodywhys

bodywhys

This link leads to a leaflet developed by Bodywhys that provides teachers and youth workers with information about eating disorders. …

Mental Health
Learn about Dysthymia and strategies to support those struggling with it: Mayo Clinic

The following link on Dysthymia – a persistent depressive disorder, is part of a larger online resource developed by a …

Mental Health
Teaching students with Depression: The British Columbia Ministry of Education

The following link leads to a 48-page PDF resource for teachers developed by the British Columbia Ministry of Education. This …

Mental Health
Understanding Brain Injury and how to support these students: Teen Mental Health

This link leads to a free, downloadable 27-page publication titled, “Understanding Brain Injury in Adolescence”. This informative resource provides a …

Mental Health
The brain, its functions, and how to teach students with brain injuries: The Community Brain Injury Program for Children & Youth in British Columbia

The Community Brain Injury Program (CPIB) for Children & Youth in British Columbia website in Canada provides information and links …

Mental Health
An overview of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, including coping and support strategies: The Mayo Clinic

This link on Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is part of a larger online resource developed by a team of experts …

Mental Health
Understanding Bipolar Disorder in youth and teens: The National Institute of Mental Health

National Institute of Mental Health

This link on Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens is part of a larger online resource on Health & Education …

Mental Health
Instructional strategies to help children with ADHD succeed at school: AboutKidsHealth

This link on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at school is part of a larger online resource provided by the …

Mental Health
Learning about ADHD and how to help children struggling with it: Helpguide

helpguide-logo-new

The following link on ADD/ADHD is part of a larger online resource provided by Helpguide. Visitors to the site will …

Mental Health
Information about ADHD and strategies to support children with ADHD: National Institute of Mental Health

National Institute of Mental Health

The link provided on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is part of a larger online resource on Health and Education provided …

Mental Health
An overview of Adjustment Disorder, including coping and support strategies: The Mayo Clinic

The following link on Adjustment Disorders is part of a larger online resource developed by a team of experts from …

Mental Health
Classroom strategies and information on mental health disorders: The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health

The Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) is a non-profit organization devoted to advancing positive mental health for all …

Mental Health
A website for supporting students with medical conditions and disabilities: LearnAlberta

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The Canadian webpage on Medical/Disability Information for Classroom Teachers is part of the LearnAlberta website. Visitors to the page …

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