This is especially true for our children, who are in the process of learning how to manage their daily experiences and establish good mental health habits for the rest of their lives.

That’s why On Our Sleeves®, the movement for children’s mental health, is committed to providing appropriate resources on mental health and wellness for you and those you care about. That includes resources for the educators and teachers in your family’s life. That’s why we are launching the Million Classroom Project to help parents and educators work through everyday behaviors and interactions.

We know that educators play an integral role in helping children’s mental health. Especially in this past year, our educators have worked tirelessly to reimagine how the education system functions to serve our children.

Now, you can help through the On Our Sleeves Million Classroom Project. Our goal is to get free mental health resources, developed by the behavioral health experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, to one million elementary and middle school classrooms across the country in 2021. Educational materials focus on boosting children’s mental health and overall wellness – and helping their entire support system along the way. 

• If you’re an educator, visit OnOurSleeves.org/Million to download the free Supporting Kids in the Classroom content package. The content package includes information and activities on gratitude, kindness, self-care, and more.

Not an educator, but still want to help? Go to OnOurSleeves.org/Million to share mental health tools with teachers and classrooms throughout your community. 

Here’s a sample: As part of my role as clinical director, I’m frequently asked, “What are everyday things I can do to support my kids’ mental health?”

• Spend quality time with your kids. The dinner table, family walks, after school chats. No matter how you do it, having quality time together is a great way to prevent or reduce the impact of mental health issues.
• Have conversations with your child. These conversations will change as your child matures. For young kids, it might be asking, “If you were a superhero, what would your power be?” For older kids, it’s normal for them not to share as much. You can share a thought or safe feeling with your teen and they may respond. By starting and maintaining an open dialogue at a young age, these conversations are more natural and easier to have as your child gets older. 
• Be present. You can’t always solve your child’s problem. But, if you calmly acknowledge his or her challenges and reinforce your connection to them, it will encourage your children to have conversations with you.
• Provide positive reinforcement and affirmation. Encouragement and positive reinforcement go a long way in building up children and are more effective than punishing negative behaviors.
• Establish routines, boundaries, and consistency. Especially in early development, structure provides us with tools to manage frustration. In addition, maintaining consistency reinforces a sense of trust – all of which are important to our mental health!
• Promote a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise and good sleep help promote positive mental wellness and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Practice self-care. You’ve heard the phrase: “Put your oxygen mask on before helping others” and it’s so true. Taking care of yourself is important. This allows you to role model self-care to your child and be a more present, supportive caregiver.

Find more free resources on mental health and wellness at OnOurSleeves.org. And thanks in advance for joining the Million Classroom Project!