May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the US, and next Thursday, May 6, is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. This month is an opportunity for us all to engage in dialogue about mental health and make strides towards ending the stigma around the topic. In school, will be recognizing the month with a series of lessons and resources shared with students, both from myself and the students’ peers.
It is important to include parents and caregivers in this conversation, as you are the ones who know your children best. This year particularly, parents need to be vigilant in noticing changes in their children’s moods and behaviours. In the US, 1 in 6 children experiences a mental health disorder annually. Early identification and intervention can prevent these issues from having a significant impact on children’s social and academic functioning.
The Parent Encouragement Program, a wonderful local organization, offers a FREE webinar next Wednesday, May 5. It is called Supporting the Mental Health of Tweens and Teens. To register, click here.
As always, please reach out to me if you have any concerns about your child’s well-being. You can reach me by email at devon.decataldo@biswashington.org or use my scheduling page to book a meeting at calendly.com/ms-devon. Stay tuned for additional resources to be shared throughout May!
Take care,
Devon DeCataldo
School Counsellor
British International School of Washington
