JumpStart Cake Decorating Day (10/10/23)

It's also World Mental Health Day.  This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has proclaimed the focus of 2023 to be ‘Mental Health is a Human Right.’  Too often, people do not have access to mental health services or education due to subjugation, poverty, geography, or whatever other reason.   Just as education and self-awareness is the first step in a lot of my work with schools and people, awareness and education is the first step all over the world.

Quote:  "One small crack does not mean you're broken.  It means that you were put to the test and didn't fall apart."  -Linda Poindexter

Over the summer, I was part of a group that worked to put together a framework around Collective Well-being in schools.  One of the conversations that we had centered around the fact that mental health is often regarded as a problem - it’s addressed when there is something wrong.

In schools, mental health is often/usually addressed reactively rather than proactively.  In special services meetings where potential services were discussed for students, it was because the student was facing a challenge - or that their performance didn’t match the school’s or assessment’s benchmark.

What if schools prioritized community and face-to-face connection?  

I don’t think ANYONE can argue against that.

This week, try this: Have a conversation with your students about resiliency and how any cracks they feel are not indications that they are broken, but rather a chance to grow. Oh, and do it for yourself, too!

Educator Resource:  Cake Wrecks. Remember how it’s Cake Decorating Day?  Not all attempts at decorating are Instagram-worthy, and some are actually bad enough to deserve recognition for their #cakefail.  Check out Cake Wrecks.  There’s also a book that my son thought was the funniest thing back when he was around 11 or so (warning that there may be some inappropriate cakes!).

Dad Joke:  To the person who stole my place in line:  I'm after you now!

For many schools, it’s approaching the end of 1st quarter.  Already.  You’ve got this!

~Matt