Breaking Down Barriers to Spread Awareness Around Mental Health for School-aged Children and Adults.

Many educators across our country can understand the weight of having to manage academic, emotional, physical, and social development within their classrooms. Implementing curriculums and changing a school‘s culture can be a daunting task, but  Shine Light on Depression can be used to fill in the gap.

Tim Johnson, MSW is the Behavioral Health Services Coordinator for Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines Iowa. In this role, he supports initiatives that create school environments that intentionally educate and develop avenues for social and emotional learning. Tim stated, “ Having access to the curriculum (School Mental Health Programs | Erika’s Lighthouse (erikaslighthouse.org) has been wonderful. The curriculum is easy to follow and use”. Shine Light on Depression’s free content and turnkey curriculum has been a great addition to classrooms. Tim states that the teacher shortage and school roles not knowing whose job it is to teach and support depression and anxiety curriculum, has created barriers to implementing curriculums. Tim reflects on the realities of the current state of education but brings light to the implementation of Shine Light on Depression saying, “ With the free curriculum, our district goal is to spread awareness around adolescent mental health. The content that has been created highlights students, families, and school staff that are aware of the signs of poor mental health, and creates an environment in which school-aged children are willing to speak about what they are experiencing. As well as providing them with tools that can be used to support themselves while they are experiencing strong feelings”. 

The addition of Shine Light on Depression can allow administrators and educators to transform how schools connect further with their students. Tim Johnson’s goal is to, “create a comprehensive mental health system”. He says that Shine Light on Depression will help in the efforts of not only student health but adult and family health in school communities.  Although some school communities are struggling with filling vacant teacher positions, students should never have their needs unfulfilled based on this. Shine Light on Depression has made conscious efforts to limit barriers, and develop bridges for success through free turnkey curriculums on depression and anxiety.