Many students across Minnesota are facing mental health challenges, and schools are struggling to help meet those needs.
Mental Health Minnesota is here to help with mental health screening tools and classroom resources that are free or low-cost to schools.
Mental Health Screening Tools
Ongoing conversations are happening in school districts and the state about screening students for mental health conditions. Mental Health Minnesota provides free, anonymous online mental health screenings on our website.
Our mental health screenings use commonly utilized mental health screening tools (ex. GAD-7, PHQ-9). Screenings are available 24/7, and can be completed on a computer or mobile device. Results are shared immediately after a screening is completed, along with resources and information.
We can help school districts create a unique URL for their district to access mental health screening tools that would allow them to get aggregate data about screenings completed by their students. This data could be used to understand and evaluate the mental health needs of their students.
Classroom Activities and Lesson Plans
We can connect teachers to a variety of options for classroom activities and lesson plans related to mental health and resilience-building. Most of these activities and lesson plans are free to access, and some are offered through partnerships and collaborations with other nonprofit organizations. One example of an activity/lesson plan is below.
“The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story” from the Kevin Love Foundation
Everyone experiences difficult feelings in life – such as sadness, fear, loneliness, or anger. These emotions may feel intense, but they are not a sign that there is something wrong with us – this is a part of what it means to be human. When we experience difficult feelings, the first instinct for many of us can be to try to ignore them, but this can actually make our emotions grow and become larger and stronger. In “The Spider Within,” Miles is struggling with overwhelming feelings of anxiety. When his dad asks him how he is doing, he responds with a casual “Yeah, I’m good.” and goes to his room, trying to push his emotions away. By ignoring his feelings, they intensify – represented as a shadowy figure and then an enormous spider. We all have a ‘spider within’ – our uncomfortable feelings that grow larger when unexpressed. In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to rethink the way a hero is usually described – as someone who is invincible and never shows emotions. After watching Miles’ story, they will see that vulnerability is actually our superpower.
When discussing mental health, an emphasis is often placed on the importance of checking in on other people to see if they need support. However, there is an equally crucial step we need to take – we must teach young people how to reach out when they are struggling themselves. With Miles as their example, students will learn how to reach out to a trusted adult and begin the conversation by saying, “Hey, you got a minute?”
“I’m Here to Listen” Campaign
The goal of the “I’m here to listen” stickers is to foster an environment within schools that allows students to feel comfortable opening up about their mental health.
The sticker can be placed on classroom doors, whiteboards, lockers, laptops, water bottles, etc…anywhere a student would be able to clearly see.
Our hope is to start the conversations and decrease stigma surrounding mental health by identifying students, teachers and staff who are willing to listen and provide support.
Stickers, posters and information cards can be ordered for free from Mental Health Minnesota.
School Mental Health Inquiry
Interested in learning more about how Mental Health Minnesota can help your school and students with mental health? Complete this form, and we’ll be in touch with more information!