Conversations About Student Mental Health

Christopher J. Leonard, MSW, LCSW, M.ED
  • 5.0 (8)
  • EDUCATION

In this podcast, we talk with school administrators, educators, clinicians, and parents to open a dialogue that will help the growing number of students struggling with mental illness.

  1. 02/27/2023

    How Journaling Serves the Pursuit of Radical Wellness

    In this episode Chris Leonard, Thrive’s Chief Learning Officer, spoke with Alina Liao, the founder and CEO of Zenit, a ”radical wellness” company whose philosophy is that everything we do must advance the wellness of all our stakeholders. Highlights include: How journaling can be an extremely powerful mental health toolLeaning into tradeoffs and why this is so important in cultivating wellnessThe importance of coming back to pride and joy

    49 min

  2. 12/20/2022

    Post-Covid Challenges and Remedies

    In this episode Chris Leonard, Thrive’s Chief Learning Officer, recently spoke with power couple, Michael and Nita Creekmore about their firsthand knowledge of the current challenges that students, teachers, and parents are facing and clear ideas of how to support ourselves, our children, our students and our colleagues.  Highlights include: Challenges among students and staff right now and what to expect as we move into 2023Supports  teachers are not getting that they need more ofSchool-based interventions and the importance of tier 1 supportSupports for parents

    57 min

  3. 08/28/2022

    Preparing School Staff for the Challenges of the Upcoming School Year

    In this episode Chris Leonard, Thrive’s Chief Learning Officer, recently spoke with Dr. Michael J. Hynes, Superintendent of the Port Washington School District in New York and an award-winning educator who advocates for a holistic approach to educating children. Dr. Hynes shared strategies for helping staff navigate the challenges ahead, along with his secret sauce for helping students get the most out of school.  Highlights include: The importance of building relationships and knocking down silosIdeas for self-care that help you become the best version of yourselfWhat it takes to adjust attitudes and create a healthy school climate & cultureStrategies for restoring the balance between the physical, emotional, academic, and social at school

    38 min
  4. How Teacher Coaching Improves School Climate & Culture

    04/25/2022

    How Teacher Coaching Improves School Climate & Culture

    In this episode of Conversations About Student Mental Health, Chris Leonard tackles the question of how to prepare teachers to support the growing social and emotional needs of students. Chris talks with Steven Cates, an interventionist at Southside Community School in Tucson, Arizona, and a participant in Thrive Alliance Group’s Coaching, Training, and Certification program. Chris and Steven discuss a new approach to mental wellness support: raising the capacity of the entire staff to improve school climate & culture. Highlights include: How mental wellness training and coaching for school staff improves school climate and culture, which in turn improves student outcomes Self-paced training provides flexibility and better retention of learningTeachers learn psychological principles around student mental health and trauma, and how these impact behavior and create barriers to learningCoaching sessions give staff the chance to share experiences and learn intervention strategies Participants gain a set of tools and strategies to support both students & staff membersHow the program builds a sense of community

    26 min
  5. Creating a Mindset Shift: Mental Health Climate & Culture in Schools

    03/18/2022

    Creating a Mindset Shift: Mental Health Climate & Culture in Schools

    This episode of Conversations About Student Mental Health explores the mindset shift that is necessary to create a culture and climate of mental health and wellness in your school. Making this shift is one of three critical facets of maximizing the mental health and wellness of students.  Chris Leonard talks with Dr. Ricki Gibbs, Principal of Warner Arts Magnet Elementary in Nashville, who has assumed stewardship of the climate and culture of mental wellness in his school and is seeing meaningful results. Under Dr. Gibbs’ leadership, Warner transformed from one of the lowest performing schools in the Metro Nashville Public Schools to being the first and only Metro Nashville Public School to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon Beacon School in 2021.  Highlights include: Why schools must support students’ emotional wellbeing along with academicsThe three facets of maximizing mental wellness, and why proactive school leaders need to shift the focus to improve climate and culture How trauma-informed practices, including mindfulness, movement, and breathing, can help students develop self-regulating strategiesHow to avoid power struggles and fear tactics that harm everyoneGiving school staff the tools and training they need for classroom management also helps to build morale and retain staff

    59 min
  6. Speeding Access to Acute Mental Health Care with XFERALL

    02/14/2022

    Speeding Access to Acute Mental Health Care with XFERALL

    It’s no secret that the mental health needs of youth have been intensifying. Getting young people the treatment they need in a crisis has become a greater challenge because of the length of time they must spend in the emergency room (often more than 12 hours) waiting for risk assessments and acute follow up care. In this episode, Chris Leonard talks with Shana Palmieri, the co-founder and Chief Clinical Officer of XFERALL, an innovative mobile technology platform that can help schools (and healthcare and community professionals) get faster access to best-fit acute care, as well as other treatment resources, for young people experiencing a mental health crisis.  Highlights include: The devastating outcomes that happen with delayed and denied access to acute mental health care.How schools can use XFERALL to quickly find access to inpatient care for students, with the chance to avoid the emergency department and associated costs.How the system takes the burden off school professionals to judge a student’s risk level. Additional proactive interventions schools can put in place to reduce the incidents of mental health crises among students and prevent the worst outcomes.

    44 min
  7. COVID 2022: Teacher Perspectives

    01/12/2022

    COVID 2022: Teacher Perspectives

    As the COVID pandemic rages on, students are facing significant challenges, including: Overcoming learning lossDramatic increases in mental health issues among children and teens (leading to rising rates of emergency department visits and suicide attempts)Increased gun violence against children and school shootingsProlonged social isolationIncreases in behavioral issues in the classroom and beyond.In this episode, Chris Leonard talks with three teachers about the difficulties they are facing, what is working, what is not working, and what more we can do to help our students and schools get back on track. Chris’ guests are Alexandra Lemm, a 7th grade English teacher in Texas, Allie Szczecinski, a special educator and SEL coach in Illinois, and David Gibbons, a teacher in Texas with a focus on curriculum development.

    30 min
  8. Fostering Positive Relationships Between Parents, Schools and the Community

    10/22/2021

    Fostering Positive Relationships Between Parents, Schools and the Community

    In the past 18 months, many students experienced gaps in academic, social, and emotional development. Parents are worried about what their children have missed and how their school will ensure stability and readiness for what comes next. Needless to say, the current situation can be a recipe for tension between parents and educators. So how do we foster positive working relationships between educators and parents? Chris Leonard talks with Dr. Gerry Crisonino, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services in the Jersey City, NJ Public Schools, who currently serves over 4200 students with disabilities. Highlights include: The importance of listening and being open to criticismHow to respond to parents who come in ready for a fightTips for keeping the focus on what's best for the childIdeas for communicating with the parent communitySharing content to bridge the gap and strengthen relationships

    42 min
See All (23)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

In this podcast, we talk with school administrators, educators, clinicians, and parents to open a dialogue that will help the growing number of students struggling with mental illness.

Information

  • Creator
    Christopher J. Leonard, MSW, LCSW, M.ED
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2023
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Conversations About Student Mental Health
  • Show Website
    Conversations About Student Mental Health