Finding the Words to Empower Struggling Students through Guided Conversations – Featuring Dr. Hayley Watson

In this episode of the Jeff Bradbury Show, Dr. Haley Watson, founder and CEO of Open Parachute, discusses the importance of mental health support in education. She shares her journey as a clinical psychologist and her passion for helping youth navigate their mental health challenges. The conversation explores the current landscape of students post-COVID, the need for teachers to be equipped with mental health strategies, and the importance of training and resources for educators. Dr. Watson emphasizes the role of teachers in supporting students, the significance of having open conversations, and the necessity of creating a supportive environment for all students. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today!

Conversation Takeaways

• Dr. Watson's background shapes her passion for youth support.
• Mental health skills should be taught like literacy.
• Teachers can empower students with simple strategies.
• Training for educators is essential for effective support.
• Open Parachute provides accessible mental health resources.
• Every student faces challenges; support should be universal.
• Conversations about mental health can be simple yet impactful.
• Identifying patterns in student behavior is crucial.
• Teachers should always refer students when concerned.
• Creating a supportive environment is key to student success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Mental Health in Education
• 03:22 Understanding the Impact of COVID on Students
• 06:45 Empowering Teachers with Mental Health Strategies
• 11:44 The Need for Effective Training in Schools
• 15:25 Building a Framework for Teacher-Student Conversations
• 18:36 The Journey Behind 'Finding the Words' Book
• 21:18 Supporting Students in Crisis
• 23:27 Identifying and Addressing Depression in Students
• 27:42 Navigating Identity and Peer Pressure in Middle School
• 30:54 When to Engage and Refer: A Teacher's Guide
• 36:56 Open Parachute: Resources for Mental Health Education
• 39:55 Taking Steps Towards Mental Health Awareness

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About our Guest:

Dr. Hayley Watson is the founder and CEO of Open Parachute, a Tier 1 K-12 curriculum program that supports the mental health of students, teachers, and parents. She is also an author and Clinical Psychologist and holds a PhD in school bullying interventions, along with four further degrees in the field of mental health. She has been creating and delivering programs for youth and practitioners across the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia for the past 20 years.

Links of Interest

• Website: https://openparachuteschools.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hayley-watson-2b249a16/
• Purchase her book: