|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Being mentally healthy during childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones, as well as learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are challenges.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is committed to promoting mental health awareness and supporting the social, emotional, and mental well-being of all students. In July 2018, the Department of Mental Health Services was established. Since then, the department has worked consistently to enhance services, support and resources, while successfully collaborating with administrators, teachers, students, parents and community organizations.
We are therefore excited to launch a new program that recognizes schools going above and beyond to promote positive mental wellness. The MASTER (Mental Awareness Success Takes Everyone’s Responsibility) Mind and Heart School Awards will cultivate and support a positive and nurturing learning environment in all schools.
The MASTER committee joined together to design a rubric detailing standards that schools should emphasize in alignment with mental wellness, such as community partnerships, school programs and initiatives, professional development and parent outreach and education.
Inaugurated last year, 22 schools completed the application process and were designated as either a Master Mind School, Master Heart School or both a Master Mind and Heart School, which is the top award. Moving forward these schools are encouraged to maintain their current designation level and demonstrate the continued implementation of the Mind and Heart attributes.
As defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.”
M-DCPS is rigorously prioritizing the critical elements of mental health that support the overall well-being of students. Continued efforts to elevate and foster schoolwide activities and policies are ongoing. Promoting positive school environments, enhancing mental health literacy, awareness, de-stigmatization, and prevention of mental health challenges is being well amplified throughout our school communities.
We look forward to awarding and recognizing more schools in the spring during the second designation of MASTER recipients.
To see more #Miaminews from #Aventura to #Coralgables to #SouthMiami, #Pinecrest, #Palmetto Bay and #Cutler Bay and all throughout #Miamidadecounty go to:
www.communitynewspapers.com
Miami Community Newspaper is an online newspaper that provides up-to-date local news and information about the Miami community. This daily newspaper provides local news coverage and keeps its readers up to date on the latest developments in the area. Their website also includes a Miami community podcast, where listeners can get the latest news and updates on the Miami community. Miami Community Newspapers is the perfect source for all your local Miami news needs, whether it is from their daily newspaper, podcasts, or other media sources.
