Fostering the Resiliency and Mental Health of Children and Adolescents
In 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 continuing education units
Course Description:
Participants will learn how to recognize students at risk for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, and how to help students experiencing physical and sexual abuse, neglect, bullying and suicidal thoughts. Teachers and counselors will be taught the skills needed to provide appropriate referrals to mental health professionals and how to help these children succeed in the classroom. Educators will learn the signs and symptoms of suicide and substance abuse, counseling strategies, life skills training exercises, and social skills training. Participants will learn how to teach students to resist peer pressure, manage their anger, handle stress, learn organizational and direct thinking skills to prevent academic failure and teach self advocacy skills to help their students lead healthy, happy lives.
Goals and Objectives:
As a result of participation in this course, students should:
1. Learn how to support and create effective interventions in the classroom for students with:
Bullying Behavior and School Violence
Childhood Sexual Behavior Disorder
Child Abuse and Neglect
Self-Injury and Suicide
Mood Disorders
2. Learn how to build resiliency in at-risk students by teaching specific emotional and social skills needed to achieve positive mental health.
3. Implement specific skills to prevent the following:
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Unintended Pregnancy and High- Risk
Sexual Activity
Suicide and Self-Injury
Delinquency and Bullying Behavior
Underachievement and Dropping Out of School
Victimization and Abuse
4. Learn how the educator can play a role in referring, identifying and linking staff and parents to mental health resources.
Texts/Readings
The required reading is found in the text listed below:
Thompson, R.A. (2006). Nurturing Future Generations: Promoting Resilience in Children and Adolescents Through Social, Emotional and Cognitive Skills. (2nd. ed.).New York: Routledge.