Explicitly Teaching Mental Health and Social Emotional Learning

What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?


According to Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), “SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”



When can I find time to teach SEL skills and topics around mental health?

Social emotional learning (SEL) skills are embedded within the Ontario Curriculum and are essential for success in school and in life. In the Health and Physical Education curriculum, there is a large focus on the connection between physical and mental health and how taking care of your mental health is crucial for healthy development. 



Some of the main topics covered in the HPE curriculum include helping students to:


  • Understand that mental health is a part of overall health
  • Understand the relationship among their own thoughts, emotions, and actions
  • Learn ways to care for their own mental health and to be resilient in the face of challenges
  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and of common mental health problems
  • Know about sources of support, and how and where to ask for help


SEL and Mental Health Classroom Activities

I have landed a job I love teaching in an Alternative Education setting and among our three new second courses each semester, I try to incorporate SEL skills and mental health discussions throughout each semester. My first teachable subject is physical education and I am able to teach this subject in summer school each July. Below are some of the classroom activities I would like to incorporate into future lessons with my students:


  • A Mental Health Reflection and Check in

Link to Classroom Activity

  • Stressors and Coping Skills

Link to Classroom Activity

  • Yoga and Mindfulness Activities

Link to Classroom Activity

  • Vision Board 

Link to Classroom Activity


Final Message 

Teaching is challenging. There are a lot of demands placed on teachers- large class sizes, lack of resources, poor attendance, meetings, contacting parents, formal assessments, grading, lesson planning/ preparation, challenging student behaviour and the list goes on. Teachers are feeling overwhelmed and stretched across the board. In order to practice what we preach, we need to take care of our mental health as well, take time for self-care, ask for help and to set appropriate work-life boundaries. 



Resources


Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/

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