Teachers' Practices for Student Mental Health: Insights From a Longitudinal Study

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Supporting Students' Engagement, Mental Health, and Social-Emotional Skills

Abstract

We have been conducting a longitudinal study of teachers since they began teaching, in 2004. Over the period reported here – 2017 –all the teachers expressed concern for the rise in mental health concerns, namely anxiety related behaviours. Although they recognize mental health challenges to be on the rise, they also describe strategies to support students. Strategies include social and emotional learning, relationship building, and developing a secure environment. Obstacles to address concerns include lack of professional development, minimal school-based initiatives and resources, and limited collaboration with professional health experts. We concluded that teacher education for student mental health deserves more attention than it has typically received and greater collaboration amongst health care and educational stakeholders is required.

Authors

• Yiola Cleovoulou, University of Toronto

• Clive M. Beck, OISE/University of Toronto

• Clare Kosnik, University of Toronto/OISE

• Shelley Murphy, OISE/University of Toronto

• Mira Gambhir, Branksome Hall

• Belinda Monique Longe, Toronto District School Board

• Saewan Koh, University of Toronto

• Elizabeth Rosales, University of Toronto - OISE

• Kirsten Tenebaum, OISE/University of Toronto