Check Your Mental Health Heading Into the Holidays

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go. We are heading into the final stretches of the first semester--a crazy and unpredictable one at that. I hope you have managed the ups and downs; school staff always seem to be on the front lines of whatever we are as a state or nation, whether it's health or financial or otherwise. One thing I hope you will keep in mind is not only your students' mental health but yours as well. 

It’s easy and common for teachers to put their needs on the back burner. Your focus tends to be on your students and those around them. You do it every year, during every season. Right now you're worried about your kids: what’s at home for them, how the break will be for them, and if they'll have the food and structure they need over break. But don’t forget yourself. 

Besides reaching out to your local school counselor, there are a number of resources to help you. FuelEd has resources available and hosts webinars dealing with teachers' mental health. There are websites like teach.com that have a host of resources from websites, books, podcasts, Facebook groups and apps like Calm. Lastly I want to leave you with with a link to EverFi and its list of 10 mental health tips for educators. The top of the list has links to webinars; the bottom includes a list of numbers should you or one you know need to reach out to someone. 

I hope you will look at and share the resources. Mostly, just take care of yourself. Take a breath, a rest, a pause. My hope for you this holiday season is that you find some peace and relaxation. From all of us at OPSRC, we thank you for the tireless work you are doing and the difference you are making in so many lives!