Communication 101 for School Mental Health: Engaging Adults on Campus Who Do Not Have a Mental Health Background

Intended Audience

This session is designed for SEA and LEA team members who want to gain an understanding of proven communication practices. It is ideal for those with a role in developing communications content about school mental health for audiences who do not have a mental health background, such as educators, school staff, and school administrators.  Note that this session does not focus on modes of communication (e.g., social media), but rather on how to develop content that effectively communicates school mental health concepts and issues to lay stakeholders.

Learning Objectives

Participants who join this session will be able to:

1. Identify language that is effective and accessible in conveying key concepts about children’s mental health and avoid language pitfalls.
2. Use tools and resources to guide communication that increases awareness, builds knowledge, and engages school mental health stakeholders and partners on campus.
3. Refine planning and practices to optimize state grant management processes  alignment with SAMHSA’s systems.

Session overview

How do we convey the role of student wellness in student success to educators and staff on campus? What does mental health have to do with school? Why do I (a teacher, aide, coach, principal) need to learn about school mental health? This topical learning forum is dedicated to building capacity for Project AWARE teams invested in a shared understanding of the value of school mental health. In this virtual learning session, you will learn about proven communication strategies on the topic of school and children’s mental health. Tools and resources will be provided to help shape your communication content for lay audiences in your schools. There will be opportunity to discuss real world examples and to learn from your AWARE peers.

Speaker

Christina Borbely PhD [“borbay”], is a developmental psychologist (Columbia University, 2004) in Aptos, CA. She is coordinator of professional development for Santa Cruz County California Behavioral Health Services and leads her own consulting firm specialized in translating research science into developmentally relevant and culturally competent practices. She strives to support thriving youth in healthy families within safe communities based on connecting evidence of what works to the people and systems serving them (e.g., teachers, social workers, administrators, or volunteers).  Her work provides direct training and expertise to public and private sector agencies, and administrations, as well as disseminates curricula, research resources, and reports to the field. With an emphasis on real world application of behavioral and mental health sciences, Dr. Borbely is a committed partner on a spectrum of projects. She most recently served as Project Director for SAMHSA’s Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. Her prior roles include leadership of state and federal infrastructure and policy initiatives, such as SAMHSA’s mental health and violence prevention initiatives (Project AWARE, Healthy Transitions, and ReCAST), USDE’s Safe Schools Healthy Students, and California’s Safe and Drug Free Schools, and Alliance for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Service. Through California Department of Education and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, she developed and advised on multi-tiered systems of cross-sector supports to raise awareness and accountability for promoting mental, emotional, and behavioral safety and wellness. These professional experiences are a conduit for her passion working with communities to promote the wellbeing of children and youth.