The Emotional Lives of Students: A Mental Health Primer for Educators

Available with English captions and subtitles in Spanish.

Student mental health plays a vital role in learning, growth, and resilience. This on-demand training provides practical guidance for K-12 educators, school staff, and others caring for young people who want to better understand and support the emotional lives of children and teens.

Why This Training Matters

  • Mental health challenges among students are increasingly common in today’s classrooms.
  • Educators and school staff are often the first to recognize when support is needed.
  • With the right strategies, adults can play a powerful role in fostering student resilience and connection.

What You’ll Learn

  • Key signs of student emotional distress
  • Classroom and home strategies to foster resilience
  • Resources for connecting students with further help

Who Should Watch

  • Mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, counselors, and therapists)
  • Pediatricians and primary-care providers
  • K-12 and university educators and school staff
  • Public health professionals
  • Parents and caregivers
  • Community and faith leaders
  • Executives, managers, and HR professionals

Event Details

  • Date Recorded: September 18, 2025
  • Length: 60 minutes
  • Presenter: Yudelki M. Firpo-Perretti, PhD

Watch this free, on-demand training and discover tools to better understand and support the emotional lives of students.

Topics Covered During This Training

  • How would you describe student mental health in K-12 schools today?
  • Why are teachers in a good position to spot students who are struggling?
  • How do social media and technology affect student mental health?
  • What warning signs show that a student might be having emotional challenges?
  • How do warning signs look different for younger kids compared to older students?
  • What are some common mental health challenges that teachers might see in students?
  • What should a teacher do first if they’re worried about a student’s mental health?
  • What should a middle school teacher do if a student is upset during class?
  • What’s the difference between validating a student’s feelings and agreeing with what they say?
  • When is it time for a teacher to talk to a school counselor, principal, or parents about a student?
  • What should a teacher do if parents push back or get upset about the conversation?
  • How can teachers support students who are working with a therapist outside of school?
  • How can teachers take care of their own mental health while also supporting students?
  • How does stigma hurt students who need mental health support?
  • How can school leaders create a culture that supports mental health?
  • Are schools getting better at supporting student mental health over time?
  • How can teachers talk to students about mental health in a kind and respectful way?
  • How can teachers balance encouraging good grades while also supporting students emotionally?
  • What books, websites, or other resources can help teachers learn more about student mental health?
  • What’s the most important thing for teachers to remember from this conversation?

The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.

Resources

You may also find this additional information useful:

About the Expert

Yudelki M. Firpo-Perretti, PhD, is the program director of McLean’s School Consultation Service, which focuses on enhancing the use of evidence-based practices in schools via consultation and training for school staff and educational webinars for caregivers. Dr. Firpo-Perretti is a clinical psychologist who specializes in delivering evidence-based treatments for children, adolescents, and adults in individual, group, family, and school consultation settings.

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