Boosting Mental Wellness in Schools

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It was established to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and promote prevention and treatment.

Mental wellbeing is important for young people.  Schools and teachers have a lot to offer to create an environment for students that is positive and uplifting.  Schools, one of the few places where nearly all children spend a significant portion of their time, are not only centers for academic learning, but also spaces where students form identities, build relationships, and learn how to navigate emotions, stress, and challenges. Because of this, schools are uniquely positioned to support mental wellbeing in meaningful ways that can prevent future Mental Health crises or intervention.

Boosting Mental wellness in schools starts with offering a variety of activities. People of all ages need opportunities to feel capable, develop skills, and contribute to their community. When a school focuses on only one type of skill or activity, students who struggle in that area may disengage, label themselves as “unintelligent” or “bad” students and feel less valued than their peers who are succeeding. By varying instruction and classroom activities, teachers can help students feel both supported and appropriately challenged throughout the day.

A varied approach also recognizes that no single strategy works for every student. Below are practical, school‑friendly ways to diversify wellness activities across ages and settings.

1. Integrate Wellness Into the School Day (Not Just Special Events)

Mental wellness is most effective when it is embedded, not occasional.

• Mindful moments at the start or end of class (breathing, grounding, reflection)
• Short movement or stretch breaks during lessons
• Daily check‑ins using mood meters, journals, or exit tickets
• Calm corners or reset spaces in classrooms and hallways

These practices normalize self-awareness and emotional regulation without singling students out.  Even students who are self-aware and regulated can appreciate these activities.

2. Offer Creative and Expressive Outlets

Just as students vary in how they process learning, they also vary in how they process emotions.

• Art inspired activities (drawing, collage, murals)
• Music, rhythm, and sound exploration
• Drama, role‑play, or storytelling
• Writing prompts, poetry, or journaling

Creative options allow students to express themselves this can be especially helpful for younger students or multi-lingual learners.

3. Use Physical Movement as a Wellness Tool

Movement supports both mental and emotional regulation.  Even brief, structured movement breaks can help students release stress, reset their attention, and return to learning more calmly and focused.

• Yoga, stretching, or chair movement
• Walking or outdoor learning breaks
• Dance, sports, games, Israeli Dance
• Mind–body practices tied to PE or health class

Offering different choices and changing up the activities will engage different types of students to participate.

4. Build Connection and Belonging

Connection is a protective factor for mental health.  All people need to feel like they belong and have social networks that support them.

• Peer mentoring or buddy programs
• Chavruta or 1:1 partnering
• Student-led clubs or groups
• Collaborative games and problem-solving challenges
• Circle discussions or advisory groups
• Teacher support or check ins with students

These suggestions can foster empathy, understanding, reduce isolation, and help students practice social skills in supportive environments.

5. Create Options for Quiet and Reflection

Some students need calm, not stimulation.

• Guided relaxation or visualization
• Quiet reading or sensory-friendly spaces
• Independent reflection time
• Breathing or grounding stations like a quiet corner

These options support students who may feel overwhelmed in busy school environments. 

6. Educators and Staff Need Support Too!

Student wellness is closely linked to adult wellbeing.

• Adults can model healthy boundaries and help-seeking
• Staff wellness activities and resources can become part of the school information and culture
• Normalize mental health conversations among adults
• Encourage consistent language and practices across classrooms

When adults feel supported, students benefit.

Mental Health Awareness Month is not just a reminder to talk about mental health in May, it is an opportunity to reflect on how we embed care, connection, and understanding into our school cultures year‑round. When schools create environments where students feel safe, seen, and supported, learning thrives and mental health crises are prevented. Addressing mental wellbeing is not an add‑on to education; it is essential to student success, belonging, and long‑term wellbeing.