Holiday expectations cause anxiety & behavior issues at home and at school For just about all of us, the holiday season brings a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. It’s supposed to be a time for connection, generosity, and joy. Yet it also tends to bring unrealistic expectations that lead to anxiety and meltdowns. Here’s […]
PODCAST: Dealing With Grief
Welcome to our podcast: Conversations About Student Mental Health. I’m Chris Leonard, Clinical Social Worker working with adolescents for over 25 years. In this podcast, I talk with school administrators, educators, clinicians, and parents to open a dialogue that will help the growing number of students struggling with mental illness. Chris: In our most recent episode, […]
The Benefits of Trauma-Informed Schools
Some students face the effects of traumatic experiences which cause mental health issues that have a significant effect on their ability to succeed in school. Creating a trauma-informed school environment will provide a teacher, counselor, or school-based clinician with the awareness to recognize students at risk and give them tools to provide support for students […]
School Refusal: 8 Effective Intervention Strategies
School refusal impacts between 2 and 5% of students.1 This anxiety-based mental health issue ranges from mild separation anxiety to more severe cases of anxiety or depression that can cause young adolescents to miss weeks or months of school each year. School-based counseling can provide effective interventions that help students improve attendance and enjoy learning […]
How Physical Activity Can Improve Mental Health
Everyone knows that exercising has great benefits to your body, but what most people don’t know is that it’s one of the most effective ways to improve mental health and well-being. Here are five ways that exercise and physical activities benefit your mental health. Better Sleep Schedule – Exercising often helps regulate your sleep schedule, […]
Helping Your Child Cope with Divorce
It’s no secret that many married couples get divorced while their children are still young. Parents may decide to get divorced for a variety of reasons, but ultimately the decision is made with the well-being of the entire family in mind. While parents are coping with divorce themselves, it can be hard to grasp just […]