Professional Development for Schools & Youth Serving Organizations

Email questions to: csbhinfo@mhahouston.org

EMOTIONAL BACKPACK

An all-inclusive, year-long, train the trainer program; 2 individuals from a campus are trained to become Emotional Backpack Facilitators. Facilitators teach the modules to their home campus, equipping staff to better support the mental health needs of students and families.

Some helpful information regarding the program:

Facilitators will be trained on all five modules by Center Professional Development staff
Modules are 1.5 hours in length and include a variety of activities and videos to reflect different learning styles
Facilitators will receive access to all training materials following the completion of the train the trainer sessions
Each facilitator will receive a continuing education credit certificate (upon request)
Materials are updated on an annual basis to ensure they are reflective of current mental and behavioral health information

Children's Mental Health

1.5-hour module that defines mental health, discusses signs and symptoms of a mental health disorder, and how to hold empathetic conversations.

Trauma Informed Environments

1.5-hour module that examines how trauma affects brain development, grief and loss, and how to create a trauma-informed environment.

Youth Suicide Prevention

1.5-hour module about the myths and facts of suicide and how to intervene with youth struggling with suicidal ideation.

Trauma Informed Practitioners

1.5-hour module created as a follow-up to Trauma Informed Environments. This module equips individuals with the skills needed to communicate and respond in a trauma-informed manner and how to support youth who have been exposed to trauma or chronic stress.

Self-care for Educators

1.5-hour module that covers employee burn out, how to set achievable SMART goals, and how to develop a self-care plan.

Trauma-Informed Series

Trauma: Basics

Provides a foundational understanding of trauma.

Trauma: Universal

Focuses on trauma-informed practices for the student body/groups of youth.

Trauma: Specialized or Specific Populations

Focuses on trauma-informed practices for specific populations of students.

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additional trainings

Administrators as Champions for School Mental Health

Supporting administrators with becoming champions for mental health and assist with incorporating mental health components into the culture of their schools.

Supporting Your Child's Mental Health Needs

Assists parents/guardians with recognizing signs of mental distress in their children and equips them to properly respond when mental distress is occurring.

Gender Diverse Youth & Mental Health

Assists youth facing professionals to understand the unique forms of trauma and mental health challenges faced by youth who identify as LGBTQAI+ and offers evidence-based practices to address and support their mental well-being.

Mental Health & Youth with Disabilities

Explores mental and behavioral health challenges faced by this population and key strategies needed to support their mental well-being.

“I plan to apply what I learned by incorporating mental health awareness into our existing programs. This includes training our staff to recognize early signs of mental health challenges, creating safe spaces for children to express their feelings, and developing activities that promote emotional well-being. Additionally, I will integrate mental health education into our curriculum to help children build resilience and develop coping strategies.”

“One specific way I applied the training content in my life was during a conversation with a student who was going through a difficult time. They seemed unusually withdrawn and mentioned feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. Remembering the techniques from the training, I approached the situation with empathy and active listening, ensuring I provided a safe space for them to express their feelings without judgement.

I utilized the skills from the training to recognize the warning signs of potential suicidal thoughts and asked directly yet compassionate questions about their wellbeing. By doing so, I was able to encourage them to open-up about their struggles and persuaded them to seek professional help. I also made sure to follow up with them regularly to offer continued support and remind them they are not alone.

This experience reinforced the importance of the training and how crucial it is to be prepared to respond appropriately in such situations. It highlighted how the skills learned can genuinely make a difference in a student’s life.”

“Understanding trauma, the responses to trauma, and how to serve those responses are relevant in my response as an advocate. I will apply the skills learned today to serve the demographic I serve in a more trauma informed way.”

“I plan to continue to strengthen my relationship with my students. I will ask them periodically how they are feeling. I want them to feel open to expressing themselves when they need to. I will do my best to be more empathetic and not only sympathetic. Thanks for everything!!”

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