Session Overview:

How school administrators show up to lead school mental health initiatives is key to these initiatives’ impact and sustainability. Ensuring wellness for students in support of their learning and development is the responsibility of all adults on campus. School leadership may set the tone for how school mental health is prioritized and integrated. Whether you are in an administrative role, or in a position to inform or partner with school leaders, this session applies a school leadership lens to universal components of school mental health. It reviews core dimensions of school mental health and connects you to relevant resources. Participants will be able to communicate about the importance of student mental health in academic achievement, core concepts related to school and student mental health, and funding considerations, and they will be able to reference examples of school mental health strategies. We will discuss common questions, issues, and opportunities facing leadership who are starting or continuing efforts to advance school wellness.

Intended Audience: 

This session is designed for state and school team members who want school mental health communication messaging and tools relevant to school leadership. It is ideal for those with a role in developing communications content about school mental health or for school administrators. Note that this session does not focus on modes of communication (e.g., social media), but rather content that effectively communicates school mental health concepts and issues from the point of view of administrators.

Learning Objectives: 

• Communicate about the importance of student mental health in academic achievement, core concepts related to school and student mental health, and funding considerations.
• Describe examples of school mental health strategies.
• Discuss common questions, issues, and opportunities facing leadership who are starting or continuing efforts to advance school wellness, including mental wellness.

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).