Today, only 8 percent of districts meet the recommended student-to-psychologist ratio and 14 percent of districts meet the student-to-counselor ratio according to federal data. Thrive Alliance Group, a nationally-recognized expert in fostering K–12 mental wellness, announces their new Mental Wellness Professional Development Course Series, helping educators create a school climate and culture that supports students’ mental health and contributes to greater academic outcomes.
“Both veteran and new teachers need skills to support students’ growing mental health needs,” said Jon Brandt, CEO of Thrive Alliance Group. “School staffing is a long-term challenge and districts don’t have the luxury of time when it comes to addressing mental health. Professional development should be implemented now to provide educators with actionable guidance that supports students’ well-being and reduces teacher burnout.”
Nationwide, students are struggling with their mental health and wellness. According to a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention survey of high school students, more than 2 in 5 teens have reported persistently feeling sad or hopeless. In addition, the American Psychological Association earlier this year noted a shortage in school psychologists. While the U.S. Department of Education requires schools and districts to provide effective mental health support, few educators and staff members have the training or tools in place to support each student’s non-academic needs.
“Educators have so much on their plates right now and are spread thin,” said Patricia Hovey, executive director at Thrive Alliance Group. “Our new professional development series provides educators not just the tools and resources to support their students’ mental health, but the knowledge—ensuring educators feel comfortable and confident addressing concerns and supporting their students’ mental health now and in the future.”
Recognizing the challenges schools and districts face this fall, Thrive Alliance Group’s new professional development series prepares teachers, counselors, social workers and other staff members how to recognize student mental health concerns and intervene effectively through proven strategies rooted in K–12 mental health expertise.
Topics include:
- Creating a Trauma-Informed Learning Environment
- Increasing Student Engagement Using Positive Behavioral Supports
- Untangling the Web: How Social Media Affects Mental Health
- Paraprofessionals Empower Student Learning
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Fostering Best Practices for Schools
Together, the courses help educators implement effective, proven Tier I supports for mental wellness, creating a school climate and culture that empowers all—while addressing drops in academic performance, problematic student behavior issues and other challenges.
“There’s no question students’ mental health is top of mind for educators this fall,” said Christopher Leonard, chief learning officer at Thrive Alliance Group. “Pandemic-related disruptions, violence and staffing shortages across the nation have made it difficult to support each student’s unique, non-academic needs. Thrive Alliance Group’s new professional development series provides additional support and helps educators create a web of support for each one of their students—ensuring students are set up for success.”
To learn more about Thrive Alliance Group’s Mental Wellness Professional Development Series, including summaries of each topic, pricing and next steps, please visit https://www.thrivealliancegroup.com/services/professional-development/.
About Thrive Alliance Group
A nationally-recognized expert in fostering K–12 mental wellness, Thrive Alliance Group helps educators create a positive school climate and culture by offering professional development, workshops, coaching and certification, placement of on-site therapists and mental wellness accreditation. At Thrive Alliance Group, our team has deep clinical expertise in mental health as well as decades of experience serving students, families, schools and districts. We believe training leads to empowerment that has a lasting impact and transforms the lives of students. Our team includes special services administrators, mental health clinicians and coaches, curriculum development professionals, licenses clinical social workers, teachers and more. To learn more about Thrive Alliance Group, please visit https://www.thrivealliancegroup.com.
