The William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation’s Post

May 1 is the start of mental health awareness month, and for higher education professionals, it's a time to reflect on the importance of supporting the health and wellbeing of our students. As student development professionals, we know that a robust array of health services is critical to ensuring our students thrive and persist through graduation and beyond. Let's work together to prioritize mental health and wellbeing on our campuses. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

ACE recently released its 2024 Diverse Learning Environments (DLE) Survey, aiming to capture student perceptions regarding the institutional climate around mental health and resources on campus. The survey found that roughly 40% of students feel comfortable speaking to a campus professional. While Gen Z is often characterized as a generation highly aware of mental health issues, there remains a disconnect between this awareness and the willingness to use campus resources when necessary. Many campuses have brought mental health and counseling services more into focus and started introducing these resources during first-year orientation. What practices is your institution using, and have they been successful?

Register for Grand Challenges and Opportunities! In the second session of our 6-part series, we will explore mental health and well-being challenges in postsecondary education, focusing on innovative approaches and the needs of diverse student groups such as scholar-athletes, students with learning differences, and others. Click the link in the first comment to register for this event!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on the importance of emotional well-being for everyone, including our students. This year, many students are facing challenges like academic pressure, social anxieties, and worries about the future. Educators play a crucial role in creating a supportive learning environment that addresses these concerns. That's why I am excited to announce a new video resource! In this video, I share why anxiety is different than other emotions and how it impacts performance, and provide 3 practical strategies for educators to help students cope with anxiety. **Don’t forget to comment, like, and subscribe to the channel!** https://lnkd.in/dU7MuDRT

Our latest blog post focuses on student mental health on campus. HEQCO staff recently conducted a workshop at the Canadian Association of College & University Student Services (CACUSS) 2024 conference, “Supporting our students; Sustaining ourselves.” During the session, over 150 student service professionals from across the country, offered thoughtful feedback and ideas. Check out our latest blog post to find out what we heard from them: https://lnkd.in/e8mHp-Fv For more on student mental health, our report from January, "Supporting Student Mental Health in Ontario: Exploring Best Practices and Identifying Gaps" can be read here: https://lnkd.in/grADxqPy

ACE recently released its 2024 Diverse Learning Environments (DLE) Survey, aiming to capture student perceptions regarding the institutional climate around mental health and resources on campus. The survey found that roughly 40% of students feel comfortable speaking to a campus professional. While Gen Z is often characterized as a generation highly aware of mental health issues, there remains a disconnect between this awareness and the willingness to use campus resources when necessary. Many campuses have brought mental health and counseling services more into focus and started introducing these resources during first-year orientation. What practices is your institution using, and have they been successful?

🌟 **The Tyranny of the Past: A Reflection on Trauma and Teaching** 🌟 As I delved into "The Myth of Normal" by Gabor Maté, the notion of the "tyranny of the past" resonated deeply with me. This powerful concept unveils the intricate web of trauma and the healing journey within a toxic culture. In my pursuit of becoming an educator, I find myself reflecting on how this insight intersects with the realm of teaching. Just as a mental health advocate, I realize the imperative of incorporating trauma-informed care into my future classroom. Every action, every word holds the potential to either heal or harm. A seemingly innocent mispronunciation of a student's name can inadvertently trigger past traumas, perpetuating a cycle of pain. Understanding the weight of our words and actions is crucial in fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment. As aspiring teachers, it's paramount that we remain vigilant, ensuring that we do not unknowingly become sources of trauma for our students. By anchoring ourselves in the present moment and cultivating empathy, we can dismantle the shackles of the past and pave the way for healing and growth in our educational communities. Let's embrace the transformative power of trauma-informed teaching, forging a path where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Together, we can break free from the tyranny of the past and create a brighter future for all. 🌱✨ #TraumaInformedTeaching #EducationForHealing #EmpathyInAction

Did you read our May newsletter? 60% of college students nationwide reported experiencing one or more mental health challenges in 2021. Check out this resource: Degrees of Distress, a report commissioned by College Futures Foundation, examines through a racial equity lens how higher education institutions hurt and help student mental health to inform policy, practice, and narrative for a national movement toward students thriving and succeeding in postsecondary and beyond. Read it here: bit.ly/44YQeEp #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

College can be a challenging and stressful time for students as they learn to navigate new situations. Check out our latest blog for more information on how faculty and staff can help support student mental well-being. https://hubs.ly/Q02Pc9VF0

📢 According to the World Health Organization, wellbeing is positively associated with academic performance. 🔥There is, however, growing concern regarding the mental and emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents. In fact, around 20% of school children experience mental health and emotional problems, particularly anxiety and depression (OECD Programme for International Student Assessment-PISA). Education professionals may find themselves needing to support more struggling students than ever before - it is therefore crucial to assess mental and emotional wellbeing at school. 🔧 Wondering how you can help your students' mental wellbeing and academic performance? Check out our newly developed page below. ▶️Explore our new page! http://spr.ly/6040oBGQY #emotionalwellbeing #studentsemotionalwellbeing #emotionalwellbeingatschool #educationprofessionals #educationpsychology #schoolassessment #academicsuccess #educationalpsychologist