Making Connections
department of prevention & Intervention VOL. III
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it has never been more important than this year. Until now, there were still some people who believed that mental health wasn’t everyone’s concern. Just over a month ago we had no idea that all our worlds were going to be turned upside down by COVID-19, and that the associated worry, isolation, loneliness, and anxiety would be something that everyone would experience. Let’s keep two things front and center:
1. Mental Health screening is essential during times of stress. Take a screen here and encourage your family and friends to take one too.
2. It is important to look forward and to focus on what we need to do to thrive in uncertain times.
The State of Our Mental Health
How do I maintain my Mental health and Well-Being during COVID-19?
Follow us on Instagram
Please check out and follow @fusdwellness on Instagram. Social emotional support staff from Prevention and Intervention and Special Education Departments have joined together to provide information and resources as well as highlight the exciting work that happens on our campuses to bring awareness to wellness topics.
Follow us and tag us in any exciting events your schools or staff are doing to promote mental, physical, social, emotional and spiritual health!
Practicing Self-Care and Mental Health For Kids
8 Strategies for Building Connectedness Virtually
Maintaining strong teacher-student relationships is key to keeping students engaged. Whether the interaction is physical or virtual, teachers can promote a sense of belonging by facilitating meaningful connections. Below are eight strategies for building connectedness virtually:
1. Host a virtual morning meeting.
2. Record and share videos or audio clips.
3. Take your class on a virtual field trip
4. Send daily or weekly newsletter to families and/or students.
5. Build a virtual classroom hub, website, or blog.
6. Moderate a classroom hub, website or blog.
7. Host informal office hours.
8. Collect and share virtual notes of gratitude and appreciation.
Check out these 5 Virtual Learning Resources to get you started!
Putting Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Into Practice
Mindfulness and Self-Compassion can work in tandem to help you learn to lean into your fear and anxiety and establish a new relationship with it. Here's how to apply these practices.
1. Draw the line between preparedness and panic.
2. Learn how to stop your fears, many of which feel quite real, from snowballing.
3. Learn to "anchor" yourself when you begin to obsess or panic
4. Learn how to soothe yourself.
5. Stop judging yourself for feeling anxious and fearful or for behaving in ways that seem unproductive or unhealthy.
Need a little escape? Try a visit to the virtual calming room!
The Virtual Calming Room is a place to find tools and strategies for managing emotions and feelings. There's a little something for everyone!
- Sounds and Music
- Guided Meditations
- Visual Relaxation
- Yoga
- Live Animal Cameras
- Coloring and Creativity
- Mindfulness
- Exercise
- Puzzles & Games
- Smartphone Apps Textlines & Hotlines