Mental Health and Social Emotional Learning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Megan Rodriguez, Mental Health Therapist/Social Emotional Learning Specialist
Contact: mrodriguez@skusd.k12.ca.us
 

 

 

 

Teri Giumarra, Mental Health Therapist
Contact: tgiumarra@skusd.k12.ca.us

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mental Health services in schools include a broad range of services, settings, and strategies.  Psychological and mental health services in schools apply learning theory to individuals and groups to improve instruction and coordinate and evaluate plans to meet unique individual needs for learning or behavior problems.  Mental Health Therapists also use research to design prevention and intervention programs, and provide crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and other mental health strategies as part of a student support service team.  Mental health services that are provided in schools may include academic counseling, brief interventions to address behavior problems, assessments and referrals to other systems.  Providing mental health services in a school-based setting helps address barriers to learning and provide support so that all students can achieve in school and ultimately in life.  Schools are also places where prevention and early intervention activities can occur in a non-stigmatizing environment. (CDE) 

 

Social Emotional Learning in schools is defined as the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.  Importantly, all learning is contextual and relationship-driven and SEL can serve as a lever to enhance equity, build positive climate and culture, and foster a sense of belonging among all community members.  (CDE)