May is Mental Health Awareness Month

  • As we approach the end of the school year, routines tend to relax and graduations and celebrations are just around the corner. This is a great opportunity for us at the Anchorage School District (ASD) to highlight the importance of mental health and wellness. 

     

    Our community’s collective wellbeing is central to ASD’s mission. A wellness-centered perspective is the foundation of ASD’s initiatives, goals, and guardrails. This perspective is deeply rooted in our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) – which is our framework to organize how we meet the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students in ASD.

     

    Throughout this month, we will be engaging with our students, staff, and community, sharing ways to stay mentally fit. Here’s some useful information to get you started:

     

    • Mental health is for everyone! It is never too early or too late to learn positive coping strategies to impact wellness.

    • You are not alone. Everyone has ups and downs, and it is okay to not be okay. If someone asks how you are feeling, be honest. We have been there.  

    • Not sure what to share when things are tough? Try the following: 

      • I am actually going through some tough things right now.

      • Today is just not my day.

      • I am on the struggle bus. 

      • I am having one of those days.   

      • It has been one of those days. 

    • Working on our Mental health can be viewed as a lot of little things adding up to a big thing. Check out some simple strategies to strengthen your mental muscle:

      • Take a screen break. Get away from your phone or computer. 

      • Check in with your basic needs. Are you well hydrated? Are you getting enough sleep?

      • Make a list of your strengths. You are awesome! 

      • Create something.

      • Try a guided meditation.

      • Text or call a friend.  

     

    Thank you for prioritizing the well-being of our students, staff, and community. Through open conversations, destigmatization, and encouragement, we can build a community where everyone feels supported and valued, and finish the school year stronger than ever.

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