Mind Over Matter (Mental Health Awareness)
As students still work to overcome burdens applied from the COVID-19 pandemic, social and emotional learning is and must be targeted to create the best environment for students to cope with the problems occurring around them in order to thrive while overcoming obstacles to be successful. Mental health awareness is imperative for students, especially those in middle school, as factors like anxiety and depression run rapid in Texas schools. Students have been unfairly forced to grow up faster in comparison to previous generations while parents scramble and attempt to understand their evolving needs. In a 2020 survey, 71% of parents said they believed the pandemic negatively impacted their child's mental health. From collaborating with other organizations such as The Center for Learning & Development, we've researched these issues and have heard the outcries from parents first-hand, including those whose children have encountered suicidal thoughts. As a result, we created our Mind Over Matter program to help students to relieve stress, understand time-management, overcome peer pressure, and teach students the importance of decision-making in crucial scenarios while advocating for themselves.
Components of Keys To Success Program Include:
Bringing Awareness to Mental Health & How it Impacts Individuals Differently Throughout Key Stages of Life
Self-Care Items & Mind Re-Evaluation
Identifying Cause & Effect Relationships to Avoid Pitfalls
Positive Affirmations & Relationships
Explaining what Coping Mechanisms Are & How to React in Critical Situations
How to Communicate your Feelings to Those Around You, Advocating for Yourself
Using Hobbies like Physical Exercise, Journalling & Drawing to Relieve Stress
Being Proactive to Prevent Stress through Time-Management & Available Resources
This event can be used as a proactive or reactive technique depending on the need for the particular campus. Counselors usually have key insight in identifying students who would benefit the most from this program. As life can be unpredictable, the one thing we can do is help students respond in a positive manner to tough, temporary circumstances to avoid permanent damage.
