OSPI Building & Certification Department Limited Hours — Thursday, Aug. 20
The OSPI Building will be closed from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. The Certification Department will be closed from 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Mental Health Literacy
Contacts
For questions, please reach out to:
Student Engagement and Support
What is Mental Health Literacy?
Mental Health Literacy (MHL) helps students understand age-appropriate mental health concepts and challenges, be aware of how stigma affects mental health, seek available resources, and develop coping strategies and healthy routines.
Increasing MHL leads to positive mental health. Students develop skills to regulate their emotions, cope with stressors, and demonstrate behavioral management skills. Students can also increase connection to their school environment, academic functioning, and prosocial behaviors.
Introduction to Mental Health Literacy Professional Development
Clock Hours
Steps to receive a clock hour:
- To earn one free clock hour, register in pdEnroller for Introduction to Mental Health Literacy
- Once registered in pdEnroller, view the Introduction to Mental Health Literacy
- After watching the video, take this survey
- OSPI will award clock hours monthly.
Introduction to Mental Health Literacy presentation slides
“Review the 2025 Mental Health Literacy Guidance, developed to guide the facilitator through the MHL framework, which will help the facilitator create an environment that is conducive to active engagement, peer connection and whole student learning.”
Mental Health Literacy Learning Units & Resources
Mental Health Literacy is rooted in principles that prioritize strength-based, trauma-informed, equity-focused practices and social emotional learning. The four mental health literacy learning units (Mental Health Competency, Mental Health Promotion, Mental Health Stigma, and Mental Health Advocacy and Seeking Help) are core elements of mental health literacy. Within each unit, you will find a lesson plan (geared specifically toward middle or high school) and resources.
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Mental Health Competency
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Mental health competency strives to increase awareness of common mental health conditions and challenges that students may experience. This awareness can help reduce stigma and increase help-seeking behavior.
Lesson
Understanding Common Mental Health Challenges 9-12
Resources
- Mental Health Literacy | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (opens in a new window)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has education resources for information on mental health topics, including lesson plans and activities.
- Mental Health for Adolescents | HHS Office of Population Affairs
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Mental Health Promotion
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Teaching mental health promotion fosters positive mental health and community connection rather than solely focusing on mental health challenges. It integrates SEL skills like emotion regulation and resilience into everyday life, helping students thrive while addressing potential challenges proactively.
Lesson
My Stress Management Plan 6-8
Resources
- Washington SEL Standards, Benchmarks and Indicators -The SEL standards may be used to teach students fundamental skills that are built upon with MHL.
- Teachable Moment Lessons | Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility provides free, timely lessons to help K–12 students discuss current issues and build social and emotional skills.
- 20 Mental Health Activities, Games & Worksheets designed to help clients build coping skills, resilience, and comfort with mental health topics.
- CASEL School Guide has documented, field-tested, and refined a strategic, collaborative process for schoolwide SEL.
- Motivational Interviewing for Teens and Adolescents is a program that can help teens open up, feel heard, and make positive changes in their lives.
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Mental Health Stigma
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Mental Health Stigma provides knowledge about the types of mental health stigma and how stigma impacts students’ individuality and community. Below are resources that provide strategies to challenge stigma and promote acceptance through attitude, language and action.
Lesson
Breaking the Stigma 9-12
Resources
- Student Mental Health Toolkit | Stigma-Free Mental Health
- CDC offers resources and information on mental health stigma.
- Stigma and discrimination | Mental Health Foundation
- BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month: Navigating Stigma | The Trevor Project
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Mental Health Advocacy and Seeking Help
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Mental Health Advocacy empowers students to support their own mental well-being and ensure they know how to access resources and care when needed. Educating on advocacy and seeking help will normalize mental health conversations and promote early intervention.
Lesson
Seeking Help 6-8
Resources
- The Trevor Project's Mental Health Course for Young People | The Trevor Project
- LEARN - Office of Professional Learning – Building Your Mental Health Literacy
WA State Mental Health Help Seeking Resources
Resources
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OSPI MHL Guidance, Briefs, and FAQ
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Briefs
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Additional Resources
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- Mental Health Instruction: an online library of vetted
curricula spanning social emotional learning, mental health literacy, suicide prevention, and
substance misuse. - ODE Mental Health Toolkit Mental Health Literacy: Definition, Importance, and Impact - School of Public Health
- The Mental Health Literacy Collaborative Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has education resources on mental health comprehension, and common mental health challenges and disorders.
- World Health Organization - Mental health of adolescents
- Mental Health Instruction: an online library of vetted
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Downloadable Infographics
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- NAMI Infographic - Getting the Right Start
- NAMI Infographic - Helping Others Along the Road
- Self-Care Wheel
- Effective Communication Skills Poster High School.pdf
- How to Support Someone Who Has Experienced Trauma Infographic
- Dos and Don'ts of a Trauma Informed Compassionate Classroom Infographic
- Trauma Informed Support for Children Infographic
- The Power of Prevention Across Domains – WA State Health Care Authority