Educator Resources
As a trusted adult in a young person’s life, you play a powerful role in shaping how students understand and respond to mental health. Whether you’re fostering resilience, recognizing signs of concern, guiding students to support, or helping reduce stigma, mental health literacy is essential. The tools and programs below are organized into four key pillars: Foster Mental Health, Understand Common Mental Health Disorders, Reduce Stigma, and Effectively Seek Help. These resources—including the internationally recognized Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide—are evidence-based, adaptable, and designed to strengthen school-based mental health supports.
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I would like information on how to:
Foster Positive Mental Health
Promote overall wellness by helping students build coping skills, emotional regulation, and supportive routines that contribute to lifelong mental well-being.
Understand Common Mental Health Disorders
Explore age-appropriate information and tools to help students recognize and better understand mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
Reduce Stigma
Shift the conversation by normalizing mental health challenges, correcting misconceptions, and creating space for open, judgment-free dialogue.
Effectively Seek Help
Equip students with the knowledge and confidence to access support—whether that means talking to a trusted adult, using a school-based service, or navigating outside resources.
Narrow Results by:
How can I integrate mental health promotion into curriculum and school culture?
What mental health literacy curriculums are available for educators to teach in classrooms?
What trainings are available for educators to learn more about mental health literacy?
What classroom strategies promote mental health and well-being?
How can I create a learning environment and contribute to a school culture that supports mental health?
How can I remain aware of and support my own mental health needs and strengths?
How do I promote school safety and the ability of children and youth to cope through crisis events?
National Center for School Mental Health
The NCSMH homepage provides quick access to essential tools, resources, and updates for our team, in...
Mental Health Promotion for All (Tier 1)
Developed by NSCMH, these guides support educators with practical, high-quality strategies for effec...
School Mental Health Quality Guides
NSCMH offers a series of evidence-informed guides to help educators implement effective Tier 1 menta...
School Mental Health Quality Guide: Mental Health Promotion Services & Supports (Tier 1)
Explore a curated collection of Tier 1 implementation guides developed by NSCMH to support educators...
Classroom Education
Access a free suite of classroom-ready programs designed to help educators teach mental health liter...
Mental Health High School Curriculum (Version 3)
This evidence-based curriculum is designed to enhance mental health literacy for both educators and ...
Our Programs: For Schools
Offered by the Mental Health Collaborative, this program includes educator and student modules focus...
The Library
Access a comprehensive library of trainings to support classroom-based mental health literacy. Featu...
The Library: Sources of Strength
A best-practice youth suicide prevention program that empowers peer leaders to strengthen protective...
Classroom WISE
A free, 3-part training package designed to help K–12 educators and school staff support student men...
Mental Health Essentials for Educators
Offered by the Mental Health Collaborative, this program includes educator and student modules focus...
Mental Wellness Lesson Plans and Activities for Teachers
Explore free lesson plans and classroom materials from the Kids Mental Health Foundation, designed t...
Welcome to Free On-line Learning Courses
Explore a free catalog of online learning courses focused on emotional regulation, trauma-sensitive ...
MHL Aware for Educators [Asynchronous]
Mental Health Literacy (MHL) Aware for Educators is a 60-minute training (with an optional certifica...
Supporting and Responding to Students’ Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Needs
The Center on PBIS created a practice guide that outlines classroom strategies to improve mental hea...
Mental Health Recharge: 5 minute classroom breaks to boost mental health
Mental Health Recharge is an interactive portal that offers a series of 5 minute classroom breaks to...
Youth resources for schools
MHA has curated a selection of resources which are designed specifically for educators to empower th...
Guided Mindfulness Series
YouTube video series from Aevidum Mind for educators. Topics include Acceptance, Acknowledgement, Ap...
Your Classroom Climate
Classroom Mental Health offers several techniques to improve classroom climate.
Creating a Safe Space (PDF)
The “Creating a Safe Space” handout offers tips on how to make your classroom a safe space for all
Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment (PDF)
The National Center of Safe Supportive Learning Environments developed a resource that provides tool...
Building Trauma Sensitive Schools Handout Packet (PDF)
The National Center of Safe Supportive Learning Environments developed a resource that provides trai...
Teachers: Protecting Your Mental Health
Webpage with tips for teachers about how to support their own mental health needs
Organizational Initiatives and Policies to Support Educator Well-Being
The National Center of Safe Supportive Learning Environments developed a brief highlighting best fie...
A Self-Care Portfolio for Adults
Classroom Mental Health provides tips to prioritize and maintain adult self-care
Mindfulness Activities
Scanlon Center offer audio files and coloring sheets for classroom activites
The Guide
This free, evidence-based resource includes ready-to-use materials to help promote mental health in ...
Scanlon Center for School Mental Health Educator Wellness Podcast
A Podcast Just for K-12 Educators.
Dr. Kari Vogelgesang hosts nationally recognized experts who hel...
School Safety and Crisis
Compassion Fatigue & Burnout: A Guide for Educators
As educators, the pressure to support every student—academically, emotionally, and socially—can take...
National Center for School Mental Health
The NCSMH homepage provides quick access to essential tools, resources, and updates for our team, in...
Mental Health Promotion for All (Tier 1)
Developed by NSCMH, these guides support educators with practical, high-quality strategies for effec...
School Mental Health Quality Guides
NSCMH offers a series of evidence-informed guides to help educators implement effective Tier 1 menta...
School Mental Health Quality Guide: Mental Health Promotion Services & Supports (Tier 1)
Explore a curated collection of Tier 1 implementation guides developed by NSCMH to support educators...
Classroom Education
Access a free suite of classroom-ready programs designed to help educators teach mental health liter...
Mental Health High School Curriculum (Version 3)
This evidence-based curriculum is designed to enhance mental health literacy for both educators and ...
Our Programs: For Schools
Offered by the Mental Health Collaborative, this program includes educator and student modules focus...
The Library
Access a comprehensive library of trainings to support classroom-based mental health literacy. Featu...
The Library: Sources of Strength
A best-practice youth suicide prevention program that empowers peer leaders to strengthen protective...
Mental Wellness Lesson Plans and Activities for Teachers
Explore free lesson plans and classroom materials from the Kids Mental Health Foundation, designed t...
MHL Aware for Educators [Asynchronous]
Mental Health Literacy (MHL) Aware for Educators is a 60-minute training (with an optional certifica...
The Guide
This free, evidence-based resource includes ready-to-use materials to help promote mental health in ...
Classroom WISE
A free, 3-part training package designed to help K–12 educators and school staff support student men...
Mental Health Essentials for Educators
Offered by the Mental Health Collaborative, this program includes educator and student modules focus...
Welcome to Free On-line Learning Courses
Explore a free catalog of online learning courses focused on emotional regulation, trauma-sensitive ...
Supporting and Responding to Students’ Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Needs
The Center on PBIS created a practice guide that outlines classroom strategies to improve mental hea...
Mental Health Recharge: 5 minute classroom breaks to boost mental health
Mental Health Recharge is an interactive portal that offers a series of 5 minute classroom breaks to...
Youth resources for schools
MHA has curated a selection of resources which are designed specifically for educators to empower th...
Guided Mindfulness Series
YouTube video series from Aevidum Mind for educators. Topics include Acceptance, Acknowledgement, Ap...
Mindfulness Activities
Scanlon Center offer audio files and coloring sheets for classroom activites
Your Classroom Climate
Classroom Mental Health offers several techniques to improve classroom climate.
Creating a Safe Space (PDF)
The “Creating a Safe Space” handout offers tips on how to make your classroom a safe space for all
Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment (PDF)
The National Center of Safe Supportive Learning Environments developed a resource that provides tool...
Building Trauma Sensitive Schools Handout Packet (PDF)
The National Center of Safe Supportive Learning Environments developed a resource that provides trai...
Teachers: Protecting Your Mental Health
Webpage with tips for teachers about how to support their own mental health needs
Organizational Initiatives and Policies to Support Educator Well-Being
The National Center of Safe Supportive Learning Environments developed a brief highlighting best fie...
A Self-Care Portfolio for Adults
Classroom Mental Health provides tips to prioritize and maintain adult self-care
Scanlon Center for School Mental Health Educator Wellness Podcast
A Podcast Just for K-12 Educators.
Dr. Kari Vogelgesang hosts nationally recognized experts who hel...
Compassion Fatigue & Burnout: A Guide for Educators
As educators, the pressure to support every student—academically, emotionally, and socially—can take...
School Safety and Crisis
Narrow Results by:
What warning signs of mental health concerns should I look for in the classroom?
What factors may be contributing to lower mental health status in students?
How do mental health conditions impact learning and behavior?
How can I provide effective and responsive accommodations for students with mental health conditions?
Language Matters: The Importance of Finding the Right Words When We’re Talking About Mental Health (PDF)
mentalhealthliteracy.org explains the different levels of mental health challenges, and explains why...
Common Concerns
This website is for educators who are concerned about a student’s mental health and well-being. It p...
Warning Signs and Symptoms
This handout outlines a contrast between depression and suicide, and denotes the warning signs and s...
ACEs Infographic
The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and the Division of Violence Prevention at the...
The Good and Bad of Social Media: What Research Tells Us
AAP’s webpage explains the connection between social media and mental health
Understanding Social Influencers of Health and Education
This issue brief explains the various social health determinants that contribute to a student’s over...
Trauma Facts for Educators (PDF)
NCTSN developed a fact sheet for educators that explains how trauma affects learning
What is Stress? Senior High Focus (PDF)
An infographic (and accompanying video) that explains what stress is, the impact of stress, stress’s...
Quick Guides for Fostering Mental Health
Pathways to empower created a packet of quick guide "posters" that help explain conflict, maintainin...
Reflective Thinking Questions for Identifying Students in Distress (PDF)
Classroom WISE developed a handout to recommend questions an educator can ask themselves when they r...
Strategies for Supporting Students: Executive Functioning (PDF)
Classroom WISE developed a handout to recommend strategies to support students who may be experienci...
Quick Guides for Mental Health (PDF)
A packet of quick guide "posters" that help explain conflict, maintaining brain health, dealing with...
SOS Signs of Suicide
SOS Signs of Suicide is an affordable, evidence-based suicide prevention program that has been shown...
Through My Eyes: Stories of Learning and Thinking Differences
This powerful video series from Understood.org helps families, educators, and peers see the world th...
Language Matters: The Importance of Finding the Right Words When We’re Talking About Mental Health (PDF)
mentalhealthliteracy.org explains the different levels of mental health challenges, and explains why...
Common Concerns
This website is for educators who are concerned about a student’s mental health and well-being. It p...
Warning Signs and Symptoms
This handout outlines a contrast between depression and suicide, and denotes the warning signs and s...
SOS Signs of Suicide
SOS Signs of Suicide is an affordable, evidence-based suicide prevention program that has been shown...
ACEs Infographic
The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and the Division of Violence Prevention at the...
The Good and Bad of Social Media: What Research Tells Us
AAP’s webpage explains the connection between social media and mental health
Understanding Social Influencers of Health and Education
This issue brief explains the various social health determinants that contribute to a student’s over...
Trauma Facts for Educators (PDF)
NCTSN developed a fact sheet for educators that explains how trauma affects learning
What is Stress? Senior High Focus (PDF)
An infographic (and accompanying video) that explains what stress is, the impact of stress, stress’s...
Through My Eyes: Stories of Learning and Thinking Differences
This powerful video series from Understood.org helps families, educators, and peers see the world th...
Quick Guides for Fostering Mental Health
Pathways to empower created a packet of quick guide "posters" that help explain conflict, maintainin...
Reflective Thinking Questions for Identifying Students in Distress (PDF)
Classroom WISE developed a handout to recommend questions an educator can ask themselves when they r...
Strategies for Supporting Students: Executive Functioning (PDF)
Classroom WISE developed a handout to recommend strategies to support students who may be experienci...
Quick Guides for Mental Health (PDF)
A packet of quick guide "posters" that help explain conflict, maintaining brain health, dealing with...
Narrow Results by:
How should I model language and attitudes to promote mental health?
How can I best engage school the school community in creating culture change and promoting mental health for the entire school?
How can I best engage parents and caregivers in prioritizing mental health for their student?
How do I promote school safety and the ability of children and youth to cope through crisis events?
Promoting Healthy Development (PDF)
A guide to identifying school community personnel who can assist students and teachers as mental hea...
Replacing Stigmatizing Language (PDF)
A handout to recommend strategies for educators to identify stigmatizing and harmful language about ...
Working with Families
Tips and strategies to work with families to identify mental health challenges, seek help, reduce st...
Model for Promoting InclusiveSchool Cultures Around Mental Health
A framework to create meaningful culture change around mental health in school settings
Start an Aevidum Club
Tools and resources to help get a club started in your school, and also offers information about pro...
Parental Involvement in Schools: How to Support It
A rationale for why it's important to engage families, and tips for how to create a culture shift in...
The Role of School-Family Partnerships in School Mental Health
This practice brief describes defining features of family-school partnerships, reviews family-school...
School Safety and Crisis
Promoting Healthy Development (PDF)
A guide to identifying school community personnel who can assist students and teachers as mental hea...
Replacing Stigmatizing Language (PDF)
A handout to recommend strategies for educators to identify stigmatizing and harmful language about ...
Working with Families
Tips and strategies to work with families to identify mental health challenges, seek help, reduce st...
Parental Involvement in Schools: How to Support It
A rationale for why it's important to engage families, and tips for how to create a culture shift in...
The Role of School-Family Partnerships in School Mental Health
This practice brief describes defining features of family-school partnerships, reviews family-school...
School Safety and Crisis
Narrow Results by:
What is my school district's referral process for mental health services? What are the mental health crisis protocols in my school?
What can I do to help a struggling student? What language should I use/which language should I avoid?
How can I navigate partnerships with community mental health providers? Who in my community is doing the work?
PA School Code and Recent Acts Associated with School Mental Health: A Brief Guide for Aspiring Educators
This brief guide helps future educators navigate the laws and responsibilities related to school-bas...
Tips for Starting Mental Health Conversations (PDF)
A guide for how to start and hold a conversation with students about mental health concerns
De-escalating a Distressed Student (PDF)
A tip sheet to assist educators in responding the students experiencing distress across the crisis c...
Project AWARE PA Findhelp Website
Links school-based practitioners with behavioral health providers to ease the process of referring s...
A Manual for School Nurses and Counselors (5th Edition)
A practical online binder for Nurses/Counselors to support families in navigating public health insu...
Sources of Support for Students Experiencing Distress (PDF)
A guide to identifying school community personnel who can assist students and teachers as mental hea...
Be a Trusted Adult: Supporting Youth Mental Health
Young people need adults they can count on. This NAMI resource offers practical tips for becoming a ...
PA School Code and Recent Acts Associated with School Mental Health: A Brief Guide for Aspiring Educators
This brief guide helps future educators navigate the laws and responsibilities related to school-bas...
Tips for Starting Mental Health Conversations (PDF)
A guide for how to start and hold a conversation with students about mental health concerns
De-escalating a Distressed Student (PDF)
A tip sheet to assist educators in responding the students experiencing distress across the crisis c...
Be a Trusted Adult: Supporting Youth Mental Health
Young people need adults they can count on. This NAMI resource offers practical tips for becoming a ...
Project AWARE PA Findhelp Website
Links school-based practitioners with behavioral health providers to ease the process of referring s...
A Manual for School Nurses and Counselors (5th Edition)
A practical online binder for Nurses/Counselors to support families in navigating public health insu...
Sources of Support for Students Experiencing Distress (PDF)
A guide to identifying school community personnel who can assist students and teachers as mental hea...