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

25/10/2024 44 min Episodio 59
Finding the Words to Empower Struggling Students through Guided Conversations – Featuring Dr. Hayley Watson

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

Episode Synopsis

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.

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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:

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