Mental & Emotional Health Education for Students
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School districts must annually provide a minimum of five (5) hours of data-driven instruction to students in grades 6-12 related to civic and character education and life skills education through resiliency education using the health education standards adopted in Rule 6A-1.09401, F.A.C., Student Performance Standards. The instruction will advance each year through developmentally appropriate instruction and skill building and must address, at a minimum, the following topics:
- Strategies specific to demonstrating resiliency through adversity, including the benefits of service to the community through volunteerism;
- Strategies to develop healthy characteristics that reinforce positive core values and foster resiliency such as:
- Empathy, perseverance, grit, gratitude, and responsibility;
- Critical thinking, problem-solving and responsible decision-making;
- Self-awareness and self-management;
- Mentorship and citizenship; and
- Honesty.
- Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health concerns;
- Promotion of resiliency to empower youth to persevere and reverse the harmful stigma of mental health by reframing the approach from mental health education to resiliency education;
- Strategies to support a peer, friend, or family member through adversity;
- Prevention of suicide;
- Prevention of the abuse of and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs; and
- Awareness of local school and community resources and the process for accessing assistance.
Charlotte County Schools Implementation Plan
The resiliency health education requirement includes a combination of online learning through Navigate Suite 360, direct instruction from school-based mental health staff, and community partnerships with Charlotte Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) and Drug-Free Charlotte County (DFCC). The implementation plan is reviewed annually by the district student mental health committee and is subject to updates.
The plan for the current school year includes the following:
The Charlotte County Schools Progress Monitoring of Resiliency Standards
Beginning in the 23/24 school year ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â students in grades K-12 will be rated on their progress towards meeting at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. Resiliency data will help the district to become more proactive in efforts to support the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students. It will ensure that resiliency instruction and intervention are serving to strengthen student resiliency skills which are necessary for successful independent functioning both within and outside of school.