Enhancing Wellness in
School Mental Health

Positive, professional interactions

Peer support groups enable clinicians to share expertise and experiences, to problem solve, and to create a collegial context outside of their clinical work.
Zins and Murphy (1996) randomly sampled 500 members of the National Association of School Psychologists to gather information on peer support group experiences.
For the purpose of this study, peer support groups were defined as “a small group of professionals who meet periodically to learn together and support each other in areas of common professional interest.” (Zins and Murphy, 1996, p. 63).
Participants responded to a series of questionnaires that measured key components of peer support groups: frequency of the meeting; size of the group; education-level of members; and specific benefits of participation.
In addition to serving as both a buffer and energizer, participants cited improved skills and knowledge as the greatest benefit of peer support groups.
Respondents cited the following elements as essential to group success:
Enthusiastic and committed participants.
Consistent meeting times.
Convenient time and place to meet.
Admin support.
Common goals and interests.
The effectiveness of peer support groups depends on a supportive atmosphere, open communication and the ability to address local circumstances.
Zins, J.E., & Murphy, J.J. (1996). Consultation with professional peers: A national survey of the practices of school psychologists. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation, 7(1), 61-70.

Resisting stress at work

In a world full of worry, warding off the effects of stress can be an all-consuming task. Stress impacts most professionals as they try to balance the competing burdens of home and work. Fighting stress is a full-time job.
Below is a refresher on how to resist stress at work:
Keep things in perspective. Your job should not come at the expense of health, family and friends.
Take time away. Even just finding a quiet place and listening to music can reduce stress.
Organize your workspace. Conquer the clutter now!
Laugh. When you – or the people around you -- start taking things too seriously, find a way to laugh.
Have realistic expectations. Having unrealistic expectations for what you can accomplish sets you up for failure -- and increased stress.
Maintain a positive attitude (and avoid those without one). Negativity takes the energy and motivation out of any situation, so avoid it.
Talk it out. Talking with someone close to you may be all that it takes to eliminate stress.

The difference a day makes

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you cannot find the time or energy to focus on your well-being. The demands of work and home, and the stress in the world around you, press continually upon you and leave little time for wellness.
Think about the things you do every day: eat, drink, sleep, talk, breathe, and move around. Now think about how you can do these things differently:
Food — So you have a sweet tooth in the evening? Allow yourself to have something sweet, but think moderation. Keep lots of healthy snacks around.
Sleep — You can’t sleep at night. You never feel rested. If this sounds like you, think about what you do before you go to bed. Do you work out or lie around? Do you eat a big meal just as you’re about to lie down? Don’t ignore your body’s natural rhythms and stay aware of what works for you.
Words — Talking and thinking go hand-in-hand. Think about how you express yourself and how it affects others: Edit your thoughts for pessimism and see what a difference it makes.