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UTLA WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS—Research shows that Wellness and Mental Health are integral and important parts of a person’s wellbeing, stability, and overall success. The UTLA Student Health and Human Services professionals of which include Psychiatric Social Workers (PSW), Pupil Services & Attedance Counselors (PSA), School Psychologist, School Nurses, and other socio-emotional professionals have put together thoughtful resources and helpful tips to support our daily challenges and current environment. UTLA WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS–Social Wellness, Emotional Wellness, Spiritual Wellness, Environmental Wellness, Occupational Wellness, Intellectual Wellness, and Physical Wellness are dimensions of wellness that help us in the workplace.

If you need immediate emergency assistance, please call 911. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you may call our LAUSD Student Health and Human Services Hotline at (213) 241.3840 Monday through Friday from 6:00am-6:00pm or any of the following agencies (24/7): LA County Department of Mental Health (800) 854- 7771 | National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-TALK (8255)

Hotlines

  • LAUSD Student Health and Human Services Hotline
    (213) 241-3840
  • LA County Department of Mental Health
    (800) 854- 7771
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    (800) 273-TALK (8255)
  • Dial 211
    Dial 211 or www.211.la.org
  • CalFresh
    GetCalFresh.org or 877-428-8844
  • Legal Aid
    (800) 399-4529
  • L.A. Can
    (213) 228-0024

As District leaders, we recognize the important role all educators play every day to support our students by developing caring relationships to foster their learning and overall wellbeing. A sense of community in the school and classroom (in-person and virtual) helps stakeholders feel valued and included. Establishing procedures and routines that cultivate connectedness and trust set the stage for increased academic engagement, social success and authentic relationships. Strategic activities that are asset based and leverage stakeholders’ strengths and identities provide opportunities for individuals to learn more about each other, resulting in deeper levels of connection and a sense of belonging in a manner that is culturally and linguistically responsive.

This summer, a cross disciplinary team from the Divisions of Instruction, Special Education, Human Resources, and Student Health and Human Services came together to make this work foundational for all district employees. The following resources and tools to support this work are available for your use, please visit:

Schoology Groups

  • Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports/Restorative Practices (PBIS/RP) – access code ZV2B-2PCZ-BMJVX​
    • Resources and tools to implement PBIS/RP including creating virtual expectations, virtual community building thematic activities and lessons, and responding to behavior.
  • Secondary Advisory Lessons – access code QDXZ-PQWX-BDZRJ
    • Lessons and activities to support student’s social emotional needs for teachers in grades 6 – 12 to compliment core classes.  The resources and lessons integrate personal development, academic monitoring, and college/career readiness content while consistently infusing opportunities to develop SEL skills.
  • LAUSD Pride – access code DQ2SX-4RSZ6​
    • A welcoming, inclusive & expansive space for LAUSD staff to share ideas, best practices, community resources, and aspirations for SOGIE-affirming learning & working environments.

LA Unified Websites:

Dr. Nadine Burke, California’s first Surgeon General stated it best, “Educators can deliver the daily doses of healing interactions that truly are the antidote to toxic stress…just as science shows that it’s the cumulative dose of early adversity that’s most harmful, it also shows that the cumulative dose of healing nurturing interactions is most healing.”

Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month

Asian Americans-a powerful five part series on the history of Asian Americans in the US. The series examines what the 2010 U.S. Census identifies as the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States. Told through individual lives and personal histories, ASIAN AMERICANS explores the impact of this group on the country’s past, present, and future.


Articles

As Asian Americans face racist attacks, a PBS series celebrates their unsung history

“We’ve tried to do an Asian American history series for years and years,” said Academy Award-nominated filmmaker and UCLA professor Renee Tajima-Peña (“Who Killed Vincent Chin?”), the producer of “Asian Americans.” Airing during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the series has taken on even greater urgency amid rising anti-Asian sentiment in America because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

5 reasons why I’m celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

Many may know that February is Black History Month or that March is Women’s History Month, but way fewer people celebrate the other heritage months that happen throughout the year, including AAPI Heritage month.

Discover Asian Art and Asian American History at L.A. Museums

L.A. museums exhibit world-class Asian art collections and Asian American cultural artifacts


Explore the websites for resources and virtual visits

LA Unified Websites:

Cultural sites:


Asian Pacific Islander Organizations


Behavioral Health Directory – Click here 

This is the Behavioral Health Directory for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in California. For Los Angeles County, refer to pages 17-29 and for Los Angeles County Department Mental Health Resources, refer to Appendix A page 35-50.


Lesson Plans & Student Support Resources for Counselors and Mental Health Professionals

READ AND BOOKMARK SOME HELPFUL TIPS

  • 20 questions to ask instead of “How are you doing right now?”Article 
  • Dr. Ken Duckworth explains how to talk with your children in age appropriate ways about COVID-19. Article 
  • How to Support Teachers’ Emotional Needs Right Now. Schools can develop a plan to help teachers who are feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Article


Organizations

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 172 declares May 4-8, 2020 to be the inaugural annual “Student Mental Health Week” in CaliforniaThis page provides school counselors with an exciting and virtually engaging toolkit so that school counselors are able to provide mental wellness strategies and positive coping techniques for students statewide.
 
If you need more help, NAMI Basics OnDemand is a free, six-session online education program for parents, caregivers and other families who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms.

Teaching for ToleranceSupporting Students Through Coronavirus
 
UCLA Gender Health Program: COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resources
 

Santa Monica College COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES


Wellness for Educators

Wellness and Self-Care for Educators – “During this unprecedented time, it is imperative that school counselors and other student support professionals prioritize self care. Self care is a topic that has been discussed widely; however, with unique challenges arising, taking care of ourselves mentally/emotionally, physically and socially so that we can be available to support our students.” 

Slowdown Shuffle: 50 Evidence-based, Immune-Boosting Activities to do During the Global Slowdown to Go From Wired and Tired to Chilled and Fulfilled. Article

Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools developed this special webinar series focused on caring for the education community during COVID-19. Each webinar will offer insights and ideas for educators, family caregivers, and school staff to care for themselves and others during this time.

***Headspace is available to all LAUSD employees for free! You can use it on the computer or on your phone. Headspace can be use for various types of mediation. It has basic/advanced lessons, animations and multiple focus areas for sleep, stress, children, sports, mindful walking, etc. If you haven’t accessed it yet, you can get your free subscription via this link on the SHHS Wellness Page. Click on the Headspace icon to register using your LAUSD email.*** 
 
Headspace for Los Angeles County Residents 
LA, we’re all going through the current crisis together. To help you weather this storm, Headspace and the LA County Department of Mental Health have partnered to provide support and resources during this challenging time. Residents of Los Angeles County can sign up to access Headspace Plus at no cost until December 31st, 2020.

Emily Dillion PSW, YouTube Channel with Mindfulness/Breathing videos

Action for Happiness calendars

The Emergence & Value of MindfulnessThe Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully recently   released a new book called 
Educating Mindfully: Stories of School Transformation Through Mindfulness. 
Partnering with over twenty mindfulness resource organizations and over three dozen passionate  educators, this collaborative project includes 40 chapters that shed light on the emergence of mindfulness in American education. It also contains a resource and field guide for school communities.
Kaiser Permanente Live Well articles
Self-Care Tips for Parents and Caregivers from a Health Psychologist—Parents, grandparents and any adults who care for children are amazing people with tough jobs. As a caregiver, you may be juggling multiple roles while prioritizing your family’s health and safety, especially during stressful situations.  
But don’t forget: your health matters, too! Prioritizing your well-being can help you be a better caregiver for your children and family members. 


Mental Health Toolkit 


Healthy at Home Toolkit for families


EVENTS

SIPA’s Wellness Wednesdays Registration – Free webcast series

SIPA presents Wellness Wednesdays, a free webcast series, happening every Wednesday throughout May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Safely at home, each session is psychoeducational by promoting mental wellness and de-stigmatizing mental health in the Filipino-American community. Sign up by clicking the image or here.
A webinar presented by the National Committee on Asthma and Toxic Stress (NCATS) in partnership with the Center for Youth Wellness, the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford Medical Center. Sign up here by clicking the image or here