The CDC school health program has released a school mental health action guide to support schools in their efforts to promote students’ mental health. This action guide is a direct response to recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey findings, which show that adolescent mental health has been worsening for more than a decade and that key indicators of poor mental health have reached alarming levels. For instance, in 2021: More than 4 in 10 high school students experienced depressive symptoms and 1 in 10 students attempted suicide during the previous year . he action guide describes six proven in-school strategies to promote and support mental health and well-being. The guide also describes specific approaches to put each strategy into action and examples of evidence-based policies, programs, and practices. Schools can improve their students’ mental health and well-being by putting any of these strategies in place:
- Increase students’ mental health literacy by delivering classroom-based mental health education curricula and implementing peer-led modeling programs.
- Promote mindfulness by delivering classroom-based mindfulness education, dedicating time for students to independently practice mindfulness, and offering small group mindfulness activities.
- Promote social, emotional, and behavioral learning by providing classroom instruction focused on building social skills and emotional development and offering targeted education focused on teaching social skills and emotional development.
- Enhance connectedness between students, staff, and families by providing relationship-building programs.
- Provide psychosocial skills training and cognitive behavioral interventions by engaging students in coping skills training groups and promoting acceptance and commitment to change.
- Support school staff well-being by offering mindfulness-based training programs and providing therapeutic resources.
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