Projects in this category more overtly focus on actively developing and practicing
evidence-based skills that promote mental well-being. Participants learn skills and
strategies to support their emotional regulation and the ability to cope with stress
and anxiety. Some of the skills and strategies covered include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) based strategies help support participants in understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behavior’s
• Mindfulness exercises which coach participants to help them stay in the present moment rather than be caught up in anxious thoughts about the future or thoughts about the past
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Exercises focused on the development of self-compassion
• Enhance the ability of participants to get appropriate support for mental health challenges
• Provide parents and educators practical tools for how to best support their children during stressful periods and increase their awareness of warning signs where students may need additional support

The strengthening of self esteem through:

• The development of perspective-taking skills
• Understanding that each individual has unique strengths and talents that are complimentary to others
• Understanding that jealousy is a form of insecurity and how to overcome this dynamic to create more positive peer interactions

Projects in this category often utilize our Student Mental Health certification, which empowers students to:

• Recognize mental health challenges in self and peers and the mental health continuum
• Gain practical skills they can utilize to reach out to peers experiencing mental health challenges
• Know how and when to reach out to adult allies sooner
• Learn and practice the fundamentals of emotions and positive coping strategies
• Understand the connection between substance use, abuse, and mental health

We also offer Parent Workshops to help empower parents with information on
what to watch for around mental health concerns and strategies to support teens.