Blog

  • Beyond the badge: Understanding the mental health challenges faced by police officers

    Two police officers in bulletproof vests stand beside a patrol car, one holding a coffee cup, both equipped with radios and badges.

    Despite the high levels of stress and trauma, discussing mental health with their supervisors, families, or healthcare professionals remains a stigma within the public safety industry. Officers often fear that admitting to mental health struggles could be perceived as a sign of weakness or negatively impact their careers. This stigma frequently prevents officers, and others suffering from mental health issues, from seeking the help they need.

    Given the unique challenges faced by police officers, it's crucial to have effective tools to identify and support their mental health needs so that they can maintain fitness for duty.

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  • 4 Tips for Managing Classroom Disruption During the Holiday Season

    Children seated at a table in a classroom, working on colorful papers and drawings with pencils and crayons scattered around.

    ‘Tis the season for sparkles, snowflakes and...squirmy students? As the holiday countdown begins, classrooms can quickly turn into winter wonderlands of distractions. While many kids are anticipating downtime and holiday fun with friends and family, some may harbor hidden worries about complex family dynamics, stretched budgets and other adversities. They may also have underlying anxieties about the disrupted routines that accompany school vacations.

    While educators are undoubtedly looking forward to decompression time of their own, they also have to consider the impact the upcoming break from classes will have on students’ hard-won learning progress. The great news is that there are some easy strategies you can implement today to help keep your students involved while arming them with critical skills to manage holiday stress. Since we know the kids likely have their minds on the holidays, giving these exercises some holiday dazzle is sure to get their attention and interest. 

    Here are four strengths you can focus on to maintain momentum in positive and engaging ways.

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  • Empowering girls to face body image and social media pressures

    by Lorri Jensen, Senior Product Manager - Behavior Portfolio at Pearson

    A diverse group of three girls smiling while looking at a smartphone in a close setting.

    Growing up in today’s digital era can be a pressure cooker for all kids, but it can be a particular strain for girls as they navigate societal expectations, media influences and peer dynamics — all under the relentless glare of the social media spotlight. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat can often promote unrealistic beauty standards, and the barrage of messages can negatively impact girls’ sense of self-worth and identity. 

    While advertising and social media can have a seemingly 24/7 presence, educators can create a safe place within their school community to help counteract these potentially harmful inputs and to support all students in feeling comfortable with being their authentic selves. 

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  • Take Advantage of “Nature’s Therapy” Through Outdoor Mental Wellness

    by Natalie Barnard, Educational Diagnostician and Assessment Consultant at Pearson

    A teacher and four children engaged in a science activity at a wooden table outdoors.

    We all know the rejuvenating effect of stepping into the warm sunshine and breathing deeply. There’s something about being outside that just makes us feel refreshed and inspired — and there’s no better time than spring for educators and students alike to take a welcome respite from the confines of the classroom (and the ubiquity of screens) to embrace outdoor education. 

    The great news is that being outside doesn’t just feel good; it’s also good for us. That’s why spending time outside should be an integral part of a school’s or district’s comprehensive approach to holistic student health. 

    Here are some tips for getting your class out of the classroom and taking advantage of nature’s nurturing power. 

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  • 5 Ways Educators Can Help Students Build Resilience in an Uncertain World

    by Natalie Barnard, Educational Diagnostician and Assessment Consultant at Pearson

    A woman comforting a sad girl in a school hallway decorated with children's artwork.

    The world today can be a tumultuous place for the younger generation, who are often bombarded with daunting visuals and discussions of global conflicts, the implications of climate change and political division in their own community. The result is that close to two-thirds of kids and teens say that things are going just fair (36%) or poorly (28%) for kids and teenagers in the U.S. today, according to the “State of Kids and Families in America 2024” report.

    While news filtering strategies may work for younger children, adolescents are at a developmental stage where they need a more nuanced approach to help them process information and articulate their concerns. Today’s teens struggle with a range of everyday challenges that can include grades, peer or societal pressures, family issues and more. Some are naturally resilient and can work through these hurdles and anxieties; however, it’s not innate for everyone, and equipping teens with different ways to tackle these big feelings will support mental health and overall well-being. 

    Recognizing that not all students have access to supportive role models at home, schools can proactively take the lead in providing these essential lessons, with the aim to work collaboratively and reinforce any wraparound work done by student caregivers and families. At one campus where I worked, it was the expectation that the first 10 minutes of every day was spent on a mini-lesson that spurred conversations and helped kids learn coping skills to help set them up for success.

    I encourage all educators to consider how they can play a role in empowering students by incorporating SEL lessons and other activities to help them practice navigating uncertainty and overcoming obstacles. Below are some suggestions on how you can get started.

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  • Exploring the Impact of SEL on Student Mental Health

    by Elizabeth Shanley, M.Ed., Pearson Education Assessment Consultant

    Diverse group of kids having a discussion together

    Student mental health took a hit during the pandemic — the result of school closures, disrupted routines, more time spent alone, and, in many cases, hardship in their families and communities. A recent Pew Research Center report found that nearly half of teachers say students’ anxiety and depression is a major issue at school, with that share rising to 69% and 57% for high school and middle school teachers, respectively.

    Fortunately, schools are in a prime position to equip students with the tools they need to productively cope with stress and adversity. For example, helping students develop strong social-emotional learning (SEL) skills by building their personal and interpersonal capacities empowers them to recognize and manage their emotions, maintain healthy relationships and make responsible decisions — all of which can have a direct, positive impact on mental health.

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