mental health / social emotional health

Mental health relates to emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and behave. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Social-emotional health is the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions, reactions and relationships. Mental and social-emotional health are fundamentally linked with physical health and are equally important for children and youth to function well at home and school and lead happy, fulfilling and productive lives.
Mental and social-emotional heath are essential to learning and schools are uniquely positioned to support children’s development. By creating safe, caring, and supportive learning environments and by offering instruction along with opportunities for affirming behavior practice, young people can reach developmental and emotional milestones.
But many children and youth struggle with mental health challenges and even stigma and barriers to support and clinical care. This is particularly true for students of color, English language learners, LGBTQ+, and students with disabilities. Schools can be the critical connection for access to social-emotional, behavioral support and other mental health services. |
General Mental Health Resources
- Kids Link RI 1-855-543-5465, RI behavioral health triage service and referral network hotline
- School Mental Wellness Resources, RI Dept of Education
- Center for Youth Wellness
- Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
- RI Social Emotional Learning Standards: Competencies for School and Life Success (Spanish version included)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US Department of Health and Human Services
- SAMHSA's National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) TTY: 1-800-487-4889 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services)
- What Every Child Needs For Good Mental Health, Mental Health America
- Behavioral Health Resource Guide, Mental Health Association of RI (MHARI)
- Behavioral Health Resource Guide (Spanish), Mental Health Association of RI (MHARI)
Social Emotional Learning
Tools & Training
- Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
- MindUp, Goldie Hawn Foundation
- RI Healthy Transitions, from the RI Dept of Health & Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hopitals (BHDDH)
- Behavioral Health Emergency Plan (for My Child and Family)
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTTS)
- Youth Mental Health Webinars, RI Student Assistance Services (RISAS) & RI Department of Health
- Open Circle
- SEL Learning Curriculum: 20+ Leading SEL Programs, Panorama Education
- Pure Edge SEL Curriculum
- Pure Edge Webinars
Substance Use and Prevention
- Prevent Overdose RI
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), US Department of Health and Human Services
- SAMHSA's National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) TTY: 1-800-487-4889 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Suicide Prevention
- RI Model Policy on Suicide Prevention – Developed per the requirements of the Nathan Bruno/Jason Flatt Act
- Prevent Suicide Rhode Island
- Resource List for School-Based Suicide Prevention Curricula & Staff Training, RI Dept. of Education
- Youth Suicide Prevention RI Student Assistance Services (RISAS)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK; (800) 273-8255; TTY: 1-800-799-4889
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention — Maximizing Children’s Safety, Effective School Solutions article, April, 2022
Staff Wellness
- 50 Resources to Support the Mental Health of Teachers and School Staff, teach.com
- Burned In Teacher (website, free workshop, podcast)
- Free Yoga for Educators, Shri Yoga
- Pure Edge Educator Self Care