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Sign Up for Emails- Getting to know your class and encouraging students to get to know one another can improve classroom belonging.
- Asking open-ended questions can be a great way to get everyone to share.
- While you can encourage all students to participate, try to avoid making a student answer a question they’re not comfortable with.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
Our free, easy-to-use resources help start conversations and build mental health and wellness skills for your students.
Kids’ Mental Health Starts With Us
We each have the power to support the mental health of the kids in our lives. We can do it – together. Check out our free tools and resources you can use in the classroom and on and off the field.
And sign up for our free e-newsletter to get updates on supporting kids’ mental health.
For Teachers and Educators
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Classroom Conversation Starters
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Why School Belonging Matters
- A sense of belonging at school helps children feel supported, respected and accepted, which is good for their mental health.
- Children who feel they belong are more engaged in schoolwork, perform better academically and are less likely to experience loneliness, anxiety and depression.
- Teachers can foster belonging by connecting individually with students, encouraging classroom connections and empowering students.
- Parents and caregivers can support school belonging by taking an interest in their child's school life and checking in regularly with the child about school.
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Spotting Suicide Warning Signs in Students and What to Do
- Suicide warning signs include changes in behavior (such as withdrawing from others), mood (which could include irritability or anger) or declining academic performance.
- Pay attention to what students say, how they’re engaging with peers and listening for expressions of hopelessness or talk about death.
- If you notice warning signs, engage in open conversations, support the student and seek help from mental health professionals or school staff.
Bullying Prevention
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Cyberbullying - What Is It and How to Help Protect Kids
- Cyberbullying is hurtful, targeted behavior using digital platforms like social media, texts and games, with tactics like doxxing, catfishing and harassment.
- It differs from traditional bullying because it can be anonymous, can occur 24/7 and may leave a lasting digital trail that can spread rapidly.
- Cyberbullying can cause harm to mental health such as anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, academic issues and even suicidal thoughts.
- Warning signs include withdrawal, irritability, secrecy around devices and loss of interest in usual activities.
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10 Ways to Combat Bullying
- Adults can teach children empathy, kindness and how to deal with their emotions early on to prevent bullying.
- Conversations about bullying should happen before issues arise.
- Encourage children to be upstanders by including others, telling bullies to stop (if it’s safe) and getting help from adults.
- If a child is being bullied, strategies like ignoring, assertiveness, using the buddy system and partnering with the school can help.
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Encouraging Student Friendships
- Healthy friendships are key to mental wellness. However, more kids are feeling isolated than ever.
- As an educator, you are able to encourage friendships to support your students’ mental health.
- Healthy friendships can help improve behavior in the class and benefit student learning.
Mental Health Lesson Plans
Teaching mental health might feel like scary - but it doesn't have to be! Our lesson plans, aimed at a variety of grades, give you everything you need to build mental health and wellness in your students.
The Mooderators
The Kids Mental Health Foundation and GoNoodle have teamed up to bring you videos and resources to get kids, parents, teachers, everyone talking about (and moving to!) a very important topic: big feelings in children.
For Coaches
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Helping Youth Athletes Focus on Mental Health
- Talk with young athletes about their thoughts and feelings about their sport to understand their goals and whether they are feeling pressure.
- Focus on effort and goals for improvement rather than the outcome and give personal praise on skills to build a supportive team environment.
- Promote hobbies, other activities outside of sports, and time with friends to provide emotional balance and time for self-care.
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3 Ways to Deal with Pressure
- Help kids notice their thoughts and think about whether their thoughts are true.
- Encourage children to focus on the present moment, which can help them feel grounded.
- Taking the time to relax their muscles can also assist kids in focusing.
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Healthy Body Image in Student-Athletes
- Kids can pick up on adult attitudes toward food and their bodies and that can impact a child’s mental health.
- Adults can help children have positive views of healthy eating, activity and exercise.
- Learn about warning signs that an athlete may have unhealthy eating or exercise patterns. Early treatment can be effective.
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