Mental Health

Mental Health and Wellness

Mental health is an important part of overall health and helps us grow, flourish, and build resilience. In order to foster a school climate and culture where students, and those who serve them, thrive, mental health must be prioritized.

It is the goal of the Mississippi Department of Education to support schools across the state in creating healthy learning environments. This page serves as a resource for improving mental health and well-being of stakeholders in the state.

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training Documents

• Mental Health Assurance Form
• Training Power Point
• Improving the Mental Health of Mississippi’s Children and Youth (Aug. 2022)
• Legislation – House Bill 263
• Legislation – House Bill 1283
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template
• School Mental Health Non-Crisis Referral Form
• Sample District Bullying Policy
• Sample Suicide Prevention Policy
• Certified Staff Training Link
• Classified Staff Training Link
• Procedure Template
• Returning to School: A Toolkit for Principals
• Mental Health Resources for K-12 Schools 
• Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs 
• American Association of Suicidology: School Resources 
• The Jed Foundation

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of more than 200 crisis centers that helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day. These centers are supported by local and state sources as well as the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. By calling or texting 988, you’ll connect to mental health professionals with the Lifeline network.

Suicide Prevention & 988 Guide for Mississippi Schools

Bullying

• Stopbullying.gov

Social, Emotional, and Well-Being

• Social Emotional (SEL) Standards 
• CASEL 
• Tiered Approach to Teacher Well-Being 
• SEL and Mental Health
• How We Feel – Adults

Districtwide

• SEL and Mental Health: Rapid Assessment and Action Planning – Resource Link
• Embedding SEL and Trauma into Existing Framework – Resource Link
• Social and Emotional Learning and Mental Health Supporting children’s and youth’s social and emotional well-being – Resource Link
• Social, Emotional, and Academic Development Through an Equity Lens – Resources Link
• Free Tools to Build SEL and Mental Health Supports in Schools – Resource Link
• Enhancing MTSS – Integrating Student Mental Health and Wellness through Systems, Data and Practices – Resource Link
• Integrating Trauma-Informed (TI) Approaches and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Journey of Three Districts Identification, Placement, and Progress Monitoring
• Process: Guiding Questions on SEL and Mental Health Supports – Resource Link
• Self-Assessment for School Teams Worksheet: Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Social and Emotional Learning and Mental Health – Resource Link
• Social and Emotional Learning and Mental Health: Tiered Supports Inventory –Resource Link

Grief

• Addressing Grief: Tips for Teachers and Administrators 
• Coalition to Support Grieving Students 
• Grief and Loss Resources for Educators and Students