Positive Mental Health: A Promising Framework for Students & Schools

What is Positive Mental Health?

Positive Mental Health (PMH) is a framework that advocates, promotes, educates, and implements a proactive approach to overall mental health and well-being of students. This framework suggests a shift of mindset and culture that focuses on identifying and providing supports for mental health before mental health needs arise. This is quite different from the reactive responses we are accustomed to.

How does a Positive Mental Health framework work?

It really is quite simple. A PMH specialist, such as I, can assist you with identifying opportunities to implement programming using a public health approach, or multi-tiered system of supports as many of us are familiar with. These programs are most effective at the Tier One (Universal) and Tier Two (Targeted) levels where they can be embedded into classroom and natural school environments such as recess and the cafeteria.

How does Positive Mental Health differ from Social-emotional Learning?

Positive Mental Health programming focuses on usable strategies that promote and support healthy thinking, choices, and actions that preserve and protect the mental health and well-being of children. These strategies are embeddable in natural school environments where application of concepts is most necessary. Concepts may include positive peer interactions, healthy food choices, quality play and leisure participation, responsible technology use, and mental health self-care strategies.

Does my school need both PMH and SEL?

Absolutely! Both PMH and SEL are complimentary but VERY different in focus and content. Each program has unique features that are designed to achieve different outcomes. Positive Mental Health is designed to support an overall balanced and optimal state of mental health and well-being for students whereas social-emotional learning aims to support emotional regulation, empathy, and healthy peer relationships.

Who implements PMH programming?

Positive Mental Health programming is most effectively implemented using a multi-disciplinary approach. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are the primary instructors who develop and begin PMH implementation. These professionals have educational backgrounds strong in child and adolescent development and psychology. Occupational therapy practitioners (also identified as SISPs as supported by ESSA) undergo PMH training with Vantage Educational Services, then are continually supported through a community of practice. Training and coaching are provided to faculty and staff for a sustainable transition of PMH concepts after six-week programs are completed by OTPs.

How do we begin PMH programming?

Contact me today! I will work with you to create a customized plan to support Positive Mental Health initiatives in your school. Together, we can assure our students benefit from a multi-faceted mental health plan that includes positive mental health supports.

Contact Me Today!