Nurturing the Nurturers – Prioritizing Mental Health & Wellbeing
As we settle into Spring our focus is to pour back into the cups that give so much. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month we want to ensure that we emphasize the importance of prioritizing mental health for educators, school leaders, and nonprofit leaders and staff.
These individuals hold the role of shaping our future generations and impacting communities, which is, of course no small feat. In doing so they often are shouldered with the burdens of the profession at the cost of their own mental health. It can become routine to prioritize the needs of the students, families, and communities they serve. It’s important to both acknowledge and address the significance of prioritizing mental health not only for their own sake but also for the entirety of their districts, schools, communities, and staff.
Prioritizing mental health improves overall well being both personally and professionally which in turn increases job performance and reduces burnout. It also leads to better relationships and school and organizational climate and culture that positively impacts student outcomes.
Tips for Managing Stress & Burnout
Everyone responds to stress differently, so leaning into different stress management techniques can be a valuable tool in managing mental health. Here are a few tips for managing stress and burnout:
Practice Self Care – Self care activities such as meditation and mindfulness, physical activities and sports, hobbies, and getting enough sleep can increase energy and promote better mental health.
Set Boundaries – It’s important to establish healthy boundaries including disconnecting from work during non work hours and establishing clear expectations of when it’s appropriate to engage and respond to work related requests and communications. To prevent burnout it’s imperative to have clear boundaries between work and personal life.
Seek Support – There should be regular communication that it’s okay to seek support when it’s needed as well as how and where to access available resources to assist when support is needed.
Resources for Mental Health
Here are a few mental health resources that can be shared with your community:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers resources, support groups, and educational materials for individuals struggling with mental health challenges.
Mental Health America (MHA) provides information and resources on mental health topics, including stress management and self-care tools.
If your school or district offers Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which provide confidential counseling and support services for employees facing personal and/or work-related challenges, make sure to communicate their existence regularly with your school community.
As always we are committed to supporting you and your community. We are honored to continue to partner with you in your work and help you further your mission and vision. We hope that the weeks to come bring you balance, peace and progress.