Taylor Connard

Education 650

Mental Health Training

Mental health is a topic that is important for administrators to address with both staff and

students. This year has been especially bad due to quarantine. Staff and student mental health is

at an all-time low with having to stay home and not getting social interaction. For administrators,

mental health should be a priority to address this school year.

During this training, we discussed anxiety and depression as staff members. The

importance of setting boundaries between work and our personal lives. We also discussed

recognition of when our mental health was in jeopardy and steps to take to improve it. I think

that leaders have to also be aware of the mental health levels of their staff. Ways to keep staff

health in good condition is to try and lessen the work load burden and have more grace when you

see that they are struggling.

Student mental health is another concern and made even more critical due to Covid-19.

We have students who rely on coming to school for basic needs, but also for social interaction.

The quarantine and distance learning have deprived those students. Administrators and staff have

to be able to recognize warning signs that a student’s mental health is suffering. This training

provided us the warning signs and ways to get through to students who are suffering.

Administrators have a lot to deal with, but there are things that should take priority. I

believe that mental health for both staff and students take priority over almost everything.

Providing a safe environment is key and a part of that safe environment is ensuring that everyone

is thriving. This training showed me that we need to have more outreach and provide staff and

students with chances to relieve stress and anxiety.