With students experiencing high level of mental health needs, new mental health training for teachers and school staff will begin this month
Let’s Talk NYC, a new campaign to encourage high school students citywide to reach out to trained, trusted adults in their school communities to talk about mental health, and get support when they need it, was announced by the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, NYC Department of Education, NYC Health Department, The Jed Foundation, and Ogilvy Health.
Beginning in May, Mental Health Awareness Month, the City is encouraging all high school teachers and staff to take new mental health training ahead of next school year to help them support student mental health in a time of serious need.
"Our young people need and deserve the warmest of welcomes as they return to the classroom. The 'Let's Talk' campaign will remind every student that their emotional well-being is a priority and it is okay to need help," said First Lady Chirlane McCray. "Now, teachers, cafeteria staff, administrators, coaches and other adults in the school community, who are already seen as trusted adults, will have the training and tools to serve as mental health allies. All this support will help our children emerge from this crisis stronger and healthier."
The Let's Talk NYC campaign - a partnership of the new Mayor's Office of Community Mental Health, the NYC Department of Education (DOE), the NYC Health Department (DOHMH), The Jed Foundation, and Ogilvy Health - will reach young people following a year of unimaginable stress. Many have experienced trauma, loss, uncertainty, and social isolation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Even before the pandemic began, 30 percent of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless for more than two weeks at a time (source). The new training will help equip teachers and staff to have supportive conversations about mental health with students, identify student needs, connect students to services and resources, navigate the referral process, and also take care of their own mental health. Once they complete the training, teachers and staff will receive physical and digital badges so students know they’ve been trained. During the summer, the City will be encouraging teachers to take the training so that they are trained in time for the start of the school year in the fall.
The campaign has been developed and strengthened with student and school staff input. The 2018-2019 Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council first recommended a mental health awareness campaign complete with teacher and staff training and an accompanying badge. Through the pilot phase of the initiative, approximately 260 teachers and school staff have been trained and provided feedback.
Beginning this fall, posters and other media created by Ogilvy will encourage students to reach out to trained, trusted adults in their school.
“With so many students experiencing mental health challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time to equip the adults they trust – teachers, coaches, aides, and other school staff – with the skills they need to have conversations that can make a difference,” said Susan Herman, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health. “We’re grateful to our partners at the NYC Department of Education, the NYC Health Department, The Jed Foundation and Ogilvy Health for bringing this new mental health training to teachers and school staff - so we can work toward a City where every student, in every high school, has someone to talk to about what they’re going through and where they can find support.”
“We know that a strong recovery from this crisis begins when every student has a caring adult they can speak to and confide in when they are struggling,” said Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. “Our incredible educators and school staff engage in these important conversations every day, and this training will provide them with even more tools for having supportive conversations, identifying student needs, and knowing when to refer a student to a mental health professional.”
"The pandemic has had impact on all of our mental health, but youth have experienced the COVID crisis in unique and profound ways," said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. "The Department of Health is proud to partner on this important campaign to address students' mental health, and help equip staff and teachers with the tools they need to support them."
"The Let's Talk NYC campaign is especially poignant this year as we continue to address the emotional toll of a global pandemic on students and teachers," said John MacPhee, executive director and CEO of The Jed Foundation. "We're thrilled to partner on this campaign that will better equip teachers and staff to meet both the mental health needs of their students as well as of themselves."
“With all the added pressures on our students during this last year or so, there has never been a more important time to find ways to help normalize the idea that reaching out for help is okay,” said Kate Cronin, Global CEO, Ogilvy Health. “This initiative offers important resources to students who might not otherwise have access to them. We’re so pleased Ogilvy Health could play a part in such a meaningful, and potentially life-changing, effort.”
Mental health support is available for every NYC public school student. As we work toward a recovery for all of us, the City has announced major expansions of mental health supports in schools. Many students have difficulty talking about their mental health challenges, and having trusted, visibly-trained adults in their schools can help make them feel comfortable enough to ask for help. Teachers and school staff – who have also experienced high levels of stress and trauma throughout the COVID-19 pandemic - will also learn to better understand and take care of their own mental health needs through the training.
