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• Celebrating School Social Work Week

  

  School social workers have always played a pivotal role in our schools and communities. Their important role has really come into the spotlight this year, more than ever. With National School Social Work Week occurring this week, we at PAR would like to publicly express our gratitude and thanks for everything school social workers are doing to make our schools better places for all. The theme of this year’s awareness week is “Beacon of Hope: School Social Workers—Lighting the Way.” Thank you to our school social workers for being that beacon of hope during this very unusual time. The work of school social workers goes beyond students, helping administrators, teachers, educators, parents, and the greater community to thrive. Resources to promote National School Social Work Week The School Social Work Association of America provides members resources, including posters, images, downloadable materials, and more. Need some ideas on how to celebrate and acknowledge school social workers? The Illinois Association of School Social Workers provides a downloadable list of fun suggestions as well as a list of ways school social workers can increase ...

• APA takes on workplace stress

  

  The changing landscape of workplaces has drawn heightened attention to the needs and expectations of employees nationwide regarding the issues of work–life balance and mental health support.  The recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) sheds light on the prevalence of toxic workplaces and their detrimental impact on mental health. Of the data coming out of this survey, most startling was the revelation that 19% of workers reported their workplace as somewhat or very toxic. Even more alarming, those in such environments are three times more likely to suffer mental health harm at work than those individuals who are in nontoxic settings.  This blog discusses the importance of these findings, what employers can do in light of this data, and the role mental health providers can play in supporting individuals facing toxic work situations. Understanding the impact of a toxic work environment  The APA survey brought to light the destructive toll a workplace can have on an individual’s mental well-being.  According to the survey, more than one in five workers revealed they've suffered mental health harm at work. Even worse, reported cases of ...

• Celebrating National School Psychology Week!

  

  This week, schools everywhere will be celebrating National School Psychology Week (NSPW)!  NSPW is more than just a yearly observance; it's a way to acknowledge school psychologists who work tirelessly to nurture the mental health and emotional well-being of students. It also serves as a reminder of the multifaceted support that school psychologists provide. From addressing academic challenges to fostering emotional resilience, these professionals are dedicated to ensuring that each student receives the personalized support they need to thrive.  The importance of mental health in education cannot be overstated. NSPW serves as a platform to raise awareness about mental health issues among students, parents, and educators. By fostering a culture of openness, school psychologists contribute to reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health support.  Being a school psychologist has always been crucial, and given the current shortage of school psychologists along with the increasing demand for their services, NSPW is just one way to recognize that this role is more demanding—and more important—than ever.  Sponsored by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the theme for NSPW this year is “Let’s Grow ...

• Self-Care Tips for School Professionals

  

  This week’s blog was contributed by Kathryn Stubleski, LMFT. Kathryn is a licensed marriage and family therapist and senior research assistant on the data collection team at PAR.  On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, school professionals’ burnout is at an all-time high, shedding light on a problem that has existed for some time. Even without the extenuating circumstance of a global pandemic, nearly half of K-12 teachers (46%) reported high daily stress during the school year, tying nurses as having the highest stress levels among all occupational groups surveyed. Three out of four former teachers said that work was “often” or “always” stressful in the most recent year in which they taught in a public school. Teachers are not alone. There was a critical shortage of school psychologists prior to the pandemic. The U.S. Department of Education released data that the average school psychologist maintains a caseload of double the National Association of School Psychologists’ recommended amount, with many states reporting an even higher average. People in caregiving settings such as schools are at a higher risk for burnout than noncaregiving professions, and there is a necessity to focus on self-care to preserve personal and professional effectiveness.   What do we mean by self-care?  According to the National Institute of Mental Illness, there are six elements to self-care. These six ...

• Celebrate National School Psychology Week!

  

  The week of November 7–11 is National School Psychology Week (NSPW). Being a school psychologist has always been crucial, and given the current shortage of school psychologists, along with increasing demand for your services, your role is more demanding—and important—than ever. If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, here are some resources and supports that may help.     Sponsored by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the theme for NSPW this year is “Together We Shine.” The events of the past few years have led to disconnection and even isolation. While we each have an inner light, when we work together, we can shine brighter to help others in our schools and in our communities.  Here are some suggested activities for NSPW:  Counselors: Help students see the power of working together by focusing on these skills.  Help students develop their social and active listening skills.  Engage students in discussions about building self-esteem and confidence.  Encourage students to develop social connections.  Schools: Offer additional activities that emphasize togetherness.  Hold a scavenger hunt, asking students to find someone who makes a positive contribution to the school.  Initiate classroom discussions that ...

• It’s National School Psychology Week!

  

  November 8–12 celebrates the important work of school psychologists. This year, the theme of the week is “Let’s Get in GEAR,” with GEAR standing for a challenge to grow, engage in best practices, advocate for access, and rise despite challenges.  The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has put together a list of activities to help commemorate this week.  Engage in advocacy. Whether you want to reinforce the importance of school psychology on a local or national level, NASP provides easy ways to do so.   Get the word out on social media. Whether you are active on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, NASP provides some sample text and images you can use to get the word out on any platform. Use the hashtag #SchoolPsychWeek.  Encourage activities in your school. Whether on an individual level or class-wide, NASP provides a list of activities that reinforce the theme of the week.  School psychologists—thank you for all you do to help schools, students, staff, and communities to thrive!