Welcome to our podcast Conversations About Student Mental Health. I’m Chris Leonard, clinical social worker and educator, working with adolescents for over 25 years. The purpose of this podcast is to talk with school administrators, educators, clinicians, and parents to open a dialogue that will help the growing number of students struggling with mental illness. In our last episode, we […]
4th, June, 2019
In Student Mental Health
Podcast Episode 1: The School District’s Role in Addressing Student Mental Health
Welcome to our podcast, Conversations About Student Mental Health. I’m Chris Leonard, clinical social worker, working with adolescents for over 25 years. The purpose of this podcast is to talk with school administrators, educators, clinicians, and parents, to open a dialogue that will help the growing number of students struggling with mental illness. In this first episode, I’m going to […]
22nd, May, 2019
In Student Mental Health, Student Suicide
Student Suicide: What educators should watch for
By Christopher J. Leonard, MSW, LCSW, M.ED. Parents and educators have grown increasingly anxious about child suicide and they have good reason for concern. . Among school age youth, suicide is the second leading cause of death. In a survey of United States students in grades 9 through 12, 16% reported that they seriously considered suicide, and 8% stated that […]
13th, May, 2019
In Mental Health Intervention, Student Mental Health
Mental Health Intervention for Students: When & How to Act
By Christopher J. Leonard, MSW, LCSW, M.ED. If you have not yet heard that there is a mental health crisis in America, you have not been paying attention. But because you have been paying attention, you know that this crisis is having a significant impact on school-aged children and adolescents. Studies suggest that more than 1 in 5 adolescents between […]
8th, May, 2019
In Student Mental Health
End of School Year Reflections
By Lori Phelan, MSW, LCSW, Sage Certified Clinician™ As graduation is approaching, we are reminded of the end to the school year and the beginning of summer. Many of our students are excited and happy about moving forward into unchartered waters, while others may be ambivalent during this interlude. It’s not only a break from school demands, but also from […]
14th, January, 2019
In Childhood Trauma
Understanding Childhood Trauma
By Phaedra Dunn, LSW, Sage Certified Clinician™ What is Trauma? Trauma can be defined as a person experiencing or witnessing a deeply distressing or disturbing event or repeated events that may involve death, threatened death, serious injury, or a threat to someone’s physical safety, or others and may involve fear, helplessness, feeling powerless and having no control over your environment. […]
7th, January, 2019
In Student Mental Health
The Benefits of Embedded Therapeutic Services
Adolescents spend more time in school than in any other structured environment. When mental health challenges arise, having access to embedded therapeutic services in that environment allows students to continue to receive the social, behavioral, and relationship benefits of remaining in-district. The opportunity to participate in school plays a key role in the development of peer relationships, social skills, behavioral […]
8th, December, 2018
In Student Mental Health
Distinguishing Between Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses for Home Instruction
Home instruction is a useful tool for certain behavioral and health challenges, but it should be considered a restrictive environment and be utilized when there are no other viable options that will provide the student with access to education. Learning without the social and mental health benefits of an accepting community and school-based counseling services can leave students with mental […]
14th, November, 2018
In Coping, Student Mental Health
The Benefits of a Trauma-Informed School Community
Some students face the effects of traumatic experiences which cause mental health issues that have a significant effect on their ability to succeed in school. Creating a trauma-informed school environment will provide a teacher, counselor, or school-based clinician with the awareness to recognize students at risk and give them tools to provide support for students who have experienced trauma. Studies […]
24th, October, 2018
In Mental Health Intervention, School Avoidance
Taking Charge of School Refusal: 10 Warning Signs and 8 Interventions
By Zack Schwartz, MSW, LCSW, PsyA | Director of Sage Thrive Services 10 Warning Signs of School Refusal School refusal in children and adolescents is a significantly growing issue that impacts not only the student but the entire family, school personnel, and mental health professionals working with the student. Although school refusal may appear to be a very simple or […]