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You can feel it in classrooms lately—not just the noise or the learning gaps or the changing routines—but something quieter, harder to pin down: a sense that everyone, from students to teachers to families, is carrying a little more weight than they used to.
And it’s not just anecdotal.
Mental health is one of the most urgent issues facing schools today—not because it’s suddenly new, but because we’re finally talking about it like it matters. And it does. It always has.
At OCCS, we spend a lot of time focused on academic outcomes, compliance, and accountability. That’s our role as a sponsor. But we also know that none of that happens in a vacuum. If a student is struggling emotionally, it shows up in the data. If a teacher is burned out, it shows up in the classroom. If a parent is overwhelmed, it shows up in the child.
Mental health affects everything. Which means it belongs in every conversation about school success.
So this May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re doing more than raising awareness. We’re sharing resources. We’re encouraging schools to take small, steady, sustainable action. Because wellness isn’t a one-time initiative. It’s the foundation schools are built on.
It’s easy to see when a student struggles academically—missing work, failing tests, acting out. But emotional struggle? That’s quieter. It doesn’t always show up on a spreadsheet. Sometimes it looks like disengagement. Sometimes, it looks like perfectionism. Sometimes it doesn’t look like anything at all.
And it’s not limited to students. The emotional toll on educators has been building for years. When a teacher is overwhelmed or exhausted, it doesn’t just affect their day—it affects the entire classroom rhythm. Wellness isn’t a luxury for staff, either. It’s essential to the learning environment.
This isn’t just a feeling. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce puts it plainly:
“School-based mental health and wellness initiatives are key to ensuring students are in school, healthy, ready to learn, and prepared for success.”
Mental health isn’t a side issue. It’s not something to address after the lesson plan is done or once test prep is over. It’s part of the foundation. When schools take mental health seriously, everything else—not just grades but relationships, resilience, and engagement—starts to shift.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to mental health. The needs of a student in crisis aren’t the same as those of a teacher navigating burnout or a parent looking for guidance. But support is out there—and it’s better to begin with a few trusted tools than to feel overwhelmed by everything at once.
Below are resources worth bookmarking, printing, or sharing widely within your school community.
Supporting School Wellness Toolkit (ODEW) - A comprehensive toolkit designed by the state of Ohio with guidance on trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, and wellness integration at the school level.
Ohio Mental Health & Addiction Services—Educator Resources - Targeted support for educators looking to address student needs and protect their own mental health in the process.
Mental Health America—Educator Burnout & Workplace Wellness - Downloadable checklists, self-assessments, and workplace strategies tailored for school settings.
The Trevor Project—Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth in Schools - Evidence-based tools for creating safer, more inclusive environments for all students.
Child Mind Institute—Parenting Resources - You can find practical, research-backed articles on everything from anxiety and ADHD to managing screen time and grief.
OhioMHAS – Family Support Services - Links to local programs and mental health organizations that work directly with Ohio families.
Common Sense Media—Mental Health & Technology - Articles and guides to help caregivers understand how digital life impacts mental health—and what to do about it.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - A free, confidential helpline for anyone in distress. Available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.
On Our Sleeves—The Movement for Children’s Mental Health - Created by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, this platform helps students name and understand their emotions with age-appropriate tools and conversation starters.
Seize the Awkward - Designed for teens and young adults, this campaign helps students recognize signs in their peers and start mental health conversations without stigma.
My Life, My Voice App - A free emotional health journal app lets students track their moods, reflect, and connect with help if needed.
The Jed Foundation (JED) - Focused on high school and college students, JED provides resources for emotional preparedness, suicide prevention, and peer support.
International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses - Enormous comprehensive list of Mental Health Support Links.