Comprehensive school mental health services involve deliberate promotion of positive indicators of mental health (such as subjective well-being) in addition to programs and practices intended to prevent and reduce emotional and behavioral problems. After advancing a modern conceptualization of mental health as including positive and negative indicators, this webinar will convey best practices in promotion of subjective well-being through positive psychology programs and practices that generate positive emotions and strengthen relationships. Evidence-based positive psychology interventions across a range of psychological services will be reviewed, including universal (schoolwide and classwide), small-group, and individualized interventions for students. This webinar will also introduce innovative ways to promote teachers’ positive mental health. Participants will learn strategies for supporting teachers’ stress management, wellness promotion, and blended approaches that both decrease negative emotions and increase positive emotions through interventions that cultivate gratitude and use of signature character strengths. In sum, webinar participants will gain knowledge of how to assess and promote students’ and educators’ happiness.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this session, attendees will have knowledge in each of the following areas:
- Defining and assessing key constructs relevant to students and educators happiness
- Understanding how positive psychology fits in with other services in a multi-tiered system of supports for student mental health
- Positive psychology programs and practices to increase youth happiness
- Strategies for promoting teachers’ emotional well-being
