The Hidden Driver of Chronic Absenteeism
Behind many chronic absences is untreated anxiety, depression, or trauma. Learn to read fall attendance data as a mental health signal and respond.
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The State of Student Mental Health Going Into the 2026–27 School Year
There is a question every superintendent, principal, and student services director carries into August, whether or not it ever gets said out loud: what are our students bringing back with them this year? Backpacks and schedules, yes. But also, everything a summer holds — growth spurts and friendships, and for many students, three months away … Read more
Mental Health Awareness Month in Schools: How Leaders Can Move from Awareness to Action
Mental Health Awareness Month began in 1949 by Mental Health America, an organization started by a psychiatric patient-turned-advocate who was harmed by the institutions that were supposed to care for him. Thankfully, mental health has come a very long way since 1949, but the modern-day challenges our students navigate are much different. And schools play … Read more
School-Based Suicide Prevention Plans: What Works
The death of a young person by any means is tragic, but a death by suicide has far-reaching effects on surviving family members and on both the school and the larger community. Schools are uniquely positioned to address the crisis of youth suicide and are vital for effective suicide prevention in schools because students spend the bulk of their days in school. As such, schools are critical spaces for early identification, intervention, and prevention.
How to Identify Suicide Risk in Students: Signs, Prevention, and School-Based Support
Suicides and attempted suicides affect the entire family as well as school and larger communities. Educational institutions, therefore, are uniquely positioned to act as the front line of prevention. By implementing suicide prevention programs, training staff, and reducing stigma, schools can help protect vulnerable students.
Understanding and Addressing Anxiety in Teens During School Transitions
The start of a new school year brings a blend of excitement and stress, especially for students who are prone to anxiety. Parents, educators, and school leaders all play vital roles in helping to smooth this transition, and all can contribute to a student’s sense of safety and confidence in the classroom environment. Addressing anxiety in teens requires a multifaceted approach.
A Back-to-School Mental Health Checklist for Student Success and Well-being
The connection between learning and student well-being has never been clearer. As the new school year begins, school leaders are increasingly aware that academic success is tied directly to the state of a student’s mental health. Utilizing a comprehensive mental health checklist is one of the most effective ways to monitor and support both students and staff members, fostering a positive school environment.
PBIS Strategies: Evidence-Based Approaches for K-12 Schools
The need for teachers to manage disruptive behaviors in the classroom is certainly nothing new. Since the pandemic, however, educators have been reporting significant increases in aggressive, disrespectful, and inappropriate behavior and a decline in students’ social-emotional development. Furthermore, unwanted behaviors are no longer limited to small segments of students or specific schools but rather are being widely reported by districts across the country.