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Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education
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Mental & Behavioral Health Newsletter
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We hope this finds you well.
This newsletter is dedicated to disseminating information and resources to promote the mental health and wellbeing of Texas school personnel,
students and their families.
Our team thanks everyone across the state who supports our students through strengthening school mental and behavioral health. As you promote
the wellbeing of others, we hope that you will do something meaningful to take care of yourself as well!
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Register today for the Upcoming Mental & Behavioral Health Webinar Series
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The Texas Education Agency’s Supportive Schools Division and our Project AWARE Texas partners will be hosting a series of monthly
webinars to highlight resources and best practice strategies on timely and relevant safe and supportive schools topics. Topics will include school mental health, substance abuse prevention, school discipline, early mental health interventions, approaches to
whole child student support, and building community partnerships to increase capacity.
You can join a webinar every
2nd Thursday of the month from 11:00 am CST to 12:30 pm CST from December until June. CPE credits will be made available to those who attend the full live session.
Register Below for the March 14th Webinar Session on
Tier 1 Approaches for Enhancing School Mental Health
Register Below for Upcoming Webinar Sessions:
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Upcoming Trainings and Events
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The annual
Texas Mental Health Creative Arts Contest is back! Texans of all ages can share original writing, art, or photography that draws on the contest theme “Why Does #MentalHealth Matter to You?”
Enter as an individual or as a group by March 1!
https://gallery.txsystemofcare.org/submit/
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Restorative Practices Made Simple: Families as Partners
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Families as Partners is a video series dedicated to empowering parents with the tools needed for effective communication and restorative practices at home. This series is designed to align home environments
with the restorative approaches taught in schools, ensuring a consistent and supportive experience for children. It focuses on providing parents with resources and strategies to foster better understanding and relationships with their children, emphasizing
the importance of collaboration between families and educational institutions. To learn more and view the series visit
https://tea.texas.gov/rdp-families-as-partners .
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Texas School Safety Center Trainings
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The Texas School Safety Center is collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security on
School Safety Prevention and Management monthly lunch and learn sessions. Sessions will cover current topics related to how districts are addressing school safety, prevention, and management.
Resources and strategies will be provided in these informative one-hour sessions with a Department of Homeland Security partner.
Click Here to View Dates and Register Here
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The Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators - Elementary focuses on providing an overview of trauma, and its impact on student
behaviors in the elementary (K-5) classroom. Attendees will learn about the role of mental health in daily functioning, how trauma impacts the brain, the importance of unrecognized executive
function deficits, and the role neuro diverse complexities play in student behavior.
Click Here to View Dates and Register
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The Trauma-Informed Care Workshop for Educators - Secondary focuses on providing an overview of trauma, and its impact on student
behaviors in the secondary (6-12) classroom. Attendees will learn about the role of mental health in daily functioning, how trauma impacts the brain, the importance of unrecognized executive
function deficits, and the role neuro diverse complexities play in student behavior.
Click Here to View Dates and Register
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Webinar: Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness: After the Report-Screening & Investigation March 1, 2024 10:30-11:30 am
Have you ever wondered what happens after a report on suspected child abuse has occurred? The Department of Family & Protective Services will take educators behind the scenes to learn
what happens after a report has been made. The Investigations division of TEA will join to share the process of educator investigations.
To register:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Rv-O1diWTCGqcZ9F68bmjw
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Would you like to provide feedback about your use of the Texas School Mental Health Toolkit?
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LEA Spotlight
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Manor ISD, an AWARE Texas partner district, offered a successful Mental Health Awareness series for families and caregivers in the district. The series was held
over 7 sessions with each session focusing on a different topic related to mental health. The topics included:
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Foundation of Mental Health
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Becoming Trauma Aware, What is Trauma?
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Trauma & the Sensory Brain
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Mental Health, Community Resources
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How to Evaluate Early Signs of Mental Health
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Bullying Checklist
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Substance Abuse/Vaping
The series was planned by Manor ISD's team of parent liaisons which made sure that the topics and resources offered were meaningful for the parents who attended.
Manor ISD leaders and staff will continue the success of this series through strengthening their multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for school mental health. They will do so by implementing best-practice strategies and emphasizing the role of families and
caregivers as partners.
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Mental & Behavioral Health Tips
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Struggling to stay motivated and find balance in February? You’re not alone. Take a few moments for yourself – it’s time for some self-care!
It is important to remember to take care of your mental health.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of
our physical health.
To help promote positive mental health and wellbeing here are 5 tips to consider from mental health experts:
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Take care of yourself. Make sure to take regular breaks from technology, focus on eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep.
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Spend time with loved ones who make you feel
supported and understood.
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Make an effort to talk about how you’re feeling with your partner or friends, rather than keeping things inside; this could help lift your mood by reducing stress levels.
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Take time for yourself – consider investing in
self-care activities like yoga or meditation that can help clear the mind and relax the body.
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Finally, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or down, don’t be afraid to reach out for
professional support; there are many mental health resources available which can provide confidential advice or therapy sessions to help address any issues that may arise during this time
of year!
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The Texas Education Agency will improve outcomes for all public-school students in the state by providing leadership, guidance,
and support to school systems.
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