Alicia Power

@duke_distefano I love this question and see it as vital for us to be the best we can for the kids! Hopefully each and every adult in the school knows that they are just as important as the kids! we have resources in the counseling office for teachers as well. #wasatchedchat

Question #8 - As an adult, what are things you do to deal with your own mental health needs? #WasatchEdChat

@CharDawson1 I love that! respecting the diversity of kids needs. Not everyone wants the wild social scene. #wasatchedchat

@JamesArtHansen @duke_distefano So important! the little things make a huge difference. Connecting in anyway. #wasatchedchat

@duke_distefano I like to try and greet students at the door every class. Gives me a chance to acknowledge them and gauge their demeanor. It’s a simple thing but I think it has a positive impact. #WasatchEdChat

A4- Educators are so good with people. I think many times teachers can sense something is wrong with a student prior to it coming out full force. There are so many little things that just don't add up, and our amazing teachers can "just tell." #WasatchEdChat

@Heidi_Ior Love this! it really is like creating a culture of knowing we all need support at times. It takes a village. #wasatchedchat

A4 I have seen physical aggression to lack of interest in life and everything in between. Mood swings like a switch is flipped. Acceptance of someone being unkind to them because they probably deserve it. When we see something we should say something, seek insight. #WasatchEdchat

@heywood_erin A4: Yes! This is why the relationships we have with the students is so important. Gives us a baseline for "normal" behavior and changes. #wasatchedchat

A4-Drastic changes. I feel when you notice a drastic change, ie: a student who doesn't participate any longer, a chatty student who becomes silent, chronic absences for a student who never misses, etc., there's usually a deeper reason. #WasatchEdChat

@CharDawson1 That is so true! #wasatchedchat

@heywood_erin And often we are the first to notice there is a problem. Feel comfortable approaching a student struggling and just acknowledging them and getting them to the counseling office. So important. #wasatchedchat

@AliciaPower12 It's so important for teachers to remember how complicated life is for some of our students outside of school. It's sad. It's shocking. But, it's also reality. #WasatchEdchat

A3: I have so many students in my office who have had trauma or chaos at home and they consistently report that they simply cannot focus! no matter how hard they try. Encouraging them to meet with a counselor to get resources to manage trauma so important #WasatchEdChat

@JamesArtHansen @J2roskelley95 @CharDawson1 Yes! #wasatchedchat

@J2roskelley95 @CharDawson1 Absolutely. People feel more hopeful when what they are feeling is acknowledged and they can stop the negative self talk of “why do I feel this way?” “Why can’t I just be/feel normal?” #WasatchEdChat

@CharDawson1 A2: I love that! Kids always love it when we are real.

@heywood_erin Totally agreed! at some point in everyones life they will be challenged emotionally. It really is normal. Learning to speak up and ask for help is a great life skill.

A2-I think it's important to remove the stigma associated with mental health. We have students who need help with their struggles, and we have students needing assistance in better understanding and empathizing with their peers. It all starts with talking about it! #WasatchEdchat

@Heidi_Ior I love the idea of a universal screener but wonder about the practicality of this in the school setting.

A1: I think some Mental health issues could be recognized and supported earlier if we had a school wide or district wide screener. This would take place on the tier 1 level. #WasatchEdchat

A1: Addressing the emotional and mental health needs of our students in the context of the school setting. So many players in this goal! Everyone has an impact. #WasatchEdChat

Alicia Power Mental health counselor at Wasatch High school and Wasatch Alternative. Sat on the couch by the woodstove with a book all weekend! The best! #Wasatchedchat