The schools with the most support and best framework for handling mental health put up a united front. A school can’t just decide its wellness culture—it’s up to the teachers, staff, parents, and students to work together to create a supportive community.

In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we wanted to discuss how to improve mental health in schools through parent, teacher, and nurse collaboration. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, students should always feel safe and supported emotionally and mentally at school!

Regularly Communicate With Parents

Parents and teachers need to be on the same page, and clear communication is the key to doing so. Parents should inform new teachers and health staff of any pre-existing concerns or diagnoses. Communication should also happen throughout the year, with regular check-ins about academic progress and emotional well-being. Parent-teacher interviews are one of the most important parts of the year for this reason, as they set aside time for everyone to discuss the student’s needs.

For teachers, it can be difficult to individually communicate with all your students’ parents. Magnus Health makes it easy to update a student’s profile and share that information with parents as you wish. Parents will automatically get a notification to check the portal whenever staff choose to share information with them.

Educate Parents on Mental Health

As we collectively work to destigmatize mental health, teachers are doing a wonderful job discussing and providing student mental health support. Kids are beginning to understand that it’s okay to feel and share these big and sometimes unpleasant emotions they’re feeling.

Parents and older generations may need a gentle reminder of what they should be looking for in terms of mental health. Schools can consider hosting a workshop on mental health with the parent-teacher organization where they discuss common disorders and warning signs, as well as coping strategies.

Create Clear Mental Health Policies

Everyone should be on the same page about the stance on mental health in schools. All schools should have a clear mental health policy that is shared between teachers, health staff, parents, and even students so everyone can understand what will happen should there be a mental health crisis at school.

Health staff can provide training sessions for teachers and staff members so that everyone feels adequately prepared to handle mental health situations in a way that follows the school’s mental health policies. This sets clear expectations for everyone, but it also ensures parents feel peace of mind that staff will handle any concerns about their child properly.

Make Accommodation Plans

All kids learn differently. When teachers and parents work collaboratively to provide the best learning experience possible, the student will flourish. Accommodation plans are personalized strategies and support systems for students to help level the playing field.

To start, parents and teachers should meet to discuss the child’s specific learning needs. Then, teachers and health staff can create personalized accommodation plans right in Magnus Health. It can include supports such as preferential seating, extra materials they might need during class, written vs oral feedback, testing adaptions, socialization notes, difficulty levels, and more.

It’s important to note that accommodation plans aren’t reserved for students with disabilities. Implement accommodation plans for any student who may be struggling, whether it’s temporary or lasting.

Prioritize Sleep

Sleep is essential to brain development and should be a top priority for mental health. Just think about how grouchy you can get when you don’t sleep enough! Consistent lack of sleep can lead to behavioral, cognitive, and emotional concerns.

Of course, it’s up to the parents on how much sleep a child gets, but teachers can still help by looking for signs that a child isn’t getting enough ZZZs. Kids who don’t get enough sleep have trouble focusing, remembering, and problem-solving and will consistently have lower energy levels.

Embrace Everyone’s Culture

Both students and parents should feel respected and seen when they step foot in your school. Feeling like you belong is essential to mental health, and it will boost overall morale.

Teachers can tailor their communication and support based on cultural norms and language needs. If there is a language barrier, consider providing bilingual resources and materials, and even interpreters to make communication easier.

Keep on Track

From notes in the classroom to the counselor’s office to soccer practice, Magnus Health allows you to keep a student’s health information all in one place. Important information can easily be shared with those on a need-to-know basis, including parents, to ensure that all aspects of a student’s health are considered. To learn more about how Magnus Health is helping prioritize mental health in schools, request a demo with our team.