Are you confident that your school is fully equipped to address the rising mental and behavioral health challenges among students?
As educators, we know that student wellness is not just a priority—it’s a critical concern. Over the past decade, shifts in the K-12 educational landscape have made this concern even more pressing.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified these issues, leaving many schools scrambling to find effective solutions. But here’s the truth: addressing these needs requires more than just good intentions.
According to SchoolSafety.gov, “Schools are critical partners in supporting the mental health and well-being of students…they provide opportunities for social, mental health, and physical health services.”
Yet, with student needs constantly evolving, evidence-based practices are no longer just an option—they are essential.
Are your educators equipped with the latest research-driven strategies to ensure student success? Now more than ever, educators must reevaluate their methods and stop using support strategies that simply don’t work.
Understanding Student Wellness
Student wellness encompasses a child’s physical, emotional, social, and mental health. Addressing student wellness contributes to increases in attendance, motivation, participation, and academic outcomes at school. Before schools can focus on academic outcomes, they must address the rising need for behavioral and mental health interventions.
Emphasizing connection before content is critical to positive student outcomes. The Center on Reinventing Public Education (Arizona State University) found that social-emotional learning (SEL) and associated skills such as self-regulation and collaboration are foundational to academic instruction. “Academic learning is inherently social and emotional, and integrating all those aspects can effectively promote whole-child development.”
According to CASEL, “The systemic integration of SEL into students’ daily experiences is a vital component of what makes schools and students successful.”
Ideally, our goal should be to integrate social-emotional learning into our academic lesson plans. While this takes professional learning and some reverse engineering, supporting our educators in growing their skills can support the students more holistically.
Key Evidence-Based Practices for Student Wellness
For evidence-based practices to become part of a school’s culture, all staff must embrace the concept of putting students before outcomes. Schoolwide practices will support all students while simultaneously identifying and supporting individual students with additional needs. Responsive leadership and teaching require that educators meet students where they are.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness can take many forms, including mindful breathing, movement, grounding, and gratitude. Learning and integrating mindfulness into daily life provides students with increased focus, attention, self-control, and comparison.
Besides improving mental practices, mindfulness can improve academic performance and decrease stress and anxiety levels. The initial act of teaching mindfulness to students could take an extended time over several days because it is beneficial to explain the purpose and process. However, daily mindfulness practice in the classroom could take as little as thirty seconds before a lesson. Students who incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives will have fewer academic performance challenges and behavioral challenges.
Schoolwide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum
Effective practices limited to one or two spaces within a school will not have a widespread impact. School leaders and teachers must identify a shared SEL curriculum that will be embraced by all stakeholders in all areas of the school throughout the school day. Learning about emotions, behaviors, and expectations might occur within a set period of the day. Still, the practices must be modeled and acknowledged across settings and throughout the day.
These standard practices and language will allow for authentic learning to happen. Students can transfer the skills they discuss into situations throughout their day and over their years in K-12 education and across settings when they leave the classroom. Curriculum adoption is vital, as it will provide a framework for the school’s SEL, behavior, culture, and climate. Students who feel connected at school are more likely to have improved attendance and interactions with peers and adults.
CASEL-approved or SEL curriculum rooted in CASEL best practices can also support staff wellness. By providing our teachers with access to high-quality, evidence-based SEL curriculum, we are providing them a means of communicating and supporting students of a higher caliber, often curricular resources that may not have been taught in their college courses.
Increase Awareness of Mental Health
Student wellness cannot be achieved without providing students with the skills and space to discuss mental health. These discussions will contribute to a more inclusive environment and reduce the stigma around student mental health. Schools can integrate mental health literacy into the classroom through class meetings or related class content, during school-wide intervention time with small groups, or through group meetings before or after hours.
Students who gain skills early on are more prepared to recognize, manage, and prevent mental health disorders. Wellness programs related to mental health provide students with voice and vocabulary. As professor and author Brene Brown shared, naming an experience allows for understanding and meaning.
Early Identification of Student Needs and Appropriate Interventions
Implementing schoolwide practices related to SEL, mindfulness, and mental health will positively impact all students. However, these foundational pieces might not provide enough support for each student.
Brandy Samuell, eLuma’s Director of Mental Health and Related Services, says, “Early identification is crucial in ensuring that students receive the support they need to succeed. By recognizing academic, behavioral, and mental health needs early on, schools can tailor interventions and resources to help each student effectively.”
This proactive approach addresses issues before they become more significant problems and fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment. By implementing early identification programs like Universal Screening, schools create a framework that supports all students’ success, helping them overcome challenges and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Partnerships between Students, Staff, Families, and the Community
Student wellness should not be limited to school hours. All community members must support student wellness, including physical, emotional, social, and mental health. Schools should consider partnerships with outside agencies providing additional services, such as counselors, occupational therapists, or mentors.
To gain the support of families and guardians, consider hosting events at the school to share more about the proactive approaches to students’ wellness and the benefits for student health and academic achievement. Welcoming community members into the school building is important to build trust and lasting relationships.
eLuma’s Solutions for Student Wellness
eLuma is dedicated to providing teletherapy and end-to-end student support services to improve student wellness. School systems can put their trust in an organization with over a decade of experience providing critical services for staff and students. Beginning with Targeted Support, eLuma offers assessments, universal screeners, classroom guidance, and staff professional development to support all students at the Tier 1 level. The Innovative Student Services Platform and Experienced Services Providers can guide school leaders through decision-making related to interventions to support students needing Tier 2 and 3 services.
Whether students need counseling for mental health wellness or educators are seeking to support students through individualized services, eLuma is here to help. Using a multi-tiered approach to student wellness, eLuma is dedicated to brighter futures for students.
Initiating Change
Education in the 21st century requires school leaders and teachers to embrace new evidence-based practices to improve student wellness. Implementing these changes demands commitment and time, but without them, students will continue to struggle with their mental and physical health.
Integrating evidence-based practices across all aspects of the school day is essential for creating an effective and supportive learning environment. When properly implemented, schools will see:
- Improved Student Outcomes
- Consistency and Equity in Service Delivery
- Informed Decision-Making
“Evidence-based practices can be implemented through professional development, data-driven decisions, collaboration, continuous improvement, integration across the curriculum, and family engagement,” says Samuell.
“By embedding evidence-based practices into every facet of the school day, schools can create a more effective and responsive educational environment that supports all students in achieving their fullest potential.”
eLuma provides schools with online mental and behavioral health support. Our commitment to student wellness incorporates solutions for all K-12 students, and we can build a customized solution to support your district and school needs. To learn more about eLuma’s services, explore our website or schedule a free consultation with a team member.
