The Role of Mental Health in Student Learning:

How educators can support the socio-emotional needs of students in crisis

Heather Nichols

Brandman University
Objectives:

Educators will gain insight into the most common mental health issues that are
present in our student body.
Educators will deepen their understanding of the role that mental health plays in
a students ability to learn.
Educators will apply research-based tools to their practice through the case study
scenarios.

Agenda:

NPR Mental Health Video (5 min)

Discussion Questions (5 min)
Anxiety & Depression Research Articles (5)
Expert Activity (5)
Case Scenarios (10)

Intended Audience:

High school educators

Instructions:

1) NPR Mental Health Video - before beginning the video that is embedded onto
the second slide, introduce the in-service by reviewing the objective and agenda.
Prepare the audience for the video by introducing it as an informative look into how
prevalent mental health issues are in schools.

Make sure you pause the video when the text states Pause to Reflect: Based on your
experiences, what type of a relationship do you see between a students ability to learn and their
mental health state? (0:50 in the video) *recommended pausing of 30 seconds - 1 minute
- This is a question to prompt the educators to begin reflection on this topic, but
does not require sharing out (if more than 30 min was allotted, you could - but not with
this time constraint). If people are anxious to share out, validate the person by allowing
them to share and responding with: I appreciate your insights, later in this session you
will have an opportunity to share more.

2) Discussion Questions -

Review the questions on slide 3. Educators can share their responses with the person sitting
across from them. Note -This will be their partner for the Research Article & Expert Activity that
follows.

Facilitate this by saying: partners on the right of the table (or use geographical terms for your
location...west side of the cafeteria etc) are As and left of the table are Bs. As raise your hand
please. Bs raise your hand please. As will share first and I will tell you when it is time to switch
(2 min). Bs will share when it is time to switch.
*If there is time leftover, 1 minute could be used for educators to volunteer to share an
insight with the entire group.

3) Anxiety & Depression Research Articles - Keep the PPT slide up so they can be
thinking of their takeaways when it is time to share

Instruct the educators that they have 5 min to read their article and become an expert on the
topic. Skimming, highlighting, and taking notes in encouraged.

As will read the Anxiety Article

Bs will read the Depression Article

4) Expert Activity -

Each person has 2 min to share their main takeaways from the article. The person with the
closest birthday will go first. After 2 min, prompt them to switch. Use the remaining minute for
volunteered whole-group responses.

5) Case Scenarios -

Explain that we will conclude the session with a whole group activity. We will look at two
different scenarios and brainstorm how to react if we were in that situation. Encourage
educators to reflect on their own experiences, as well as the suggested tips they became
experts on.

Spend 4 min on each scenario (probably around 3 responses in the discussion).

Educators will raise their hands and you will walk around with the microphone to
facilitate the discussion

6) Closure - (if time permits)

If there are 2 minutes left, open it up for any final questions.

If time is up, quickly point out the resources that are noted at the end of the presentation.
Restate your objective by stating that you hope that they were able to find value in the tools
presented as they continue to work tirelessly fulfilling their students needs. Thank them for their
time, honesty, and reflections shared in the session.

Works Cited:

Buchler, R. K. (2013). Anxiety-Reducing Strategies in the Classroom. Retrieved April

 15, 2017, from: http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?

article=1182&context=dissertations

Huberty, Thomas. (2010). Depression: Supporting Students at School. National Association of

School Psychologists.

Crundwell, M. & Killu, K. (2010). Responding to a Students Depression. Educational

Leadership. 68, 46-51, from:

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-

leadership/oct10/vol68/num02/Responding-to-a-Student's-Depression.aspx

Author Unknown. (2011). Mental Health Literacy Workshop. Ontario Center of Excellence for

Child and Youth Mental Health. Retrieved April 19, 2017, from:

http://www.excellenceforchildandyouth.ca/sites/default/files/mhlw_sample_case_studies.

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