Minds Matter: Strategies for Supporting Students with Mental Health Challenges in Schools – A Multi-Part Learning Community for Educators
Apr 5 • April 12 • Apr 19 • April 26
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MT / 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PT / 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. AKT / 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. HT (view your time zone)
Please join us for our April Learning Community to gain insights and strategies for supporting students with mental health challenges. Each session in this weekly series will include a brief expert presentation on the topic at hand, followed by a presentation and discussion of cases submitted by attendees. Participants may submit cases for discussion prior to the presentation, and will be notified of the case chosen for each session sent ahead of time.
Session Topics
Session 1: April 5 – Depression & Anxiety
Session 2: April 12 – ADHD
Session 3: April 19 – Autism
Session 4: April 26 – Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Intended Audience
School staff (teachers, special education coordinators, licensed clinicians, administrators)
Learning Objectives
By the end of each session, participants will be able to:
- Identify basic signs and symptoms of common psychiatric diagnoses.
- Conceptualize how symptoms of psychiatric diagnoses can impact a student’s school day.
- List common medications used to treat psychiatric diagnoses, including potential benefits, risks, and side effects.
- Identify specific supports and accommodations that can benefit students with psychiatric diagnoses who are struggling in school.
- Identify resources for in school and community support and information for educators and families.
This series has limited space available – register now!
Meet the Facilitators
Olivia Hamrah (she/her), MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She works with emerging adults in the Launch Clinic, Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic, and in school-based mental health through the MedStar Center for Wellbeing in School Environments (WISE). Her clinical and research focus is in early and first episode psychosis including the prevention of psychosis, treatment of clinical high-risk for psychosis, CBT for psychosis, and medication management of those experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Dr. Hamrah completed her fellowship training at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She completed her adult psychiatry training at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and medical school at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Prior to her medical training, Dr. Hamrah earned a BA in Physics and a BS in Chemistry at the University of Virginia and taught middle school physics and math at a public charter school in Washington, DC.
Ariael Brooks-Porter (she/her) is an accomplished Special Education Professional and dedicated Educator with an unwavering commitment to empowering students and fostering a culture of equity for all. As a passionate advocate for inclusive education, Ariael envisions a world where every student has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or challenges. A distinguished TEDx Speaker, Ariael has graced the prestigious stage to share insights, experiences, and a compelling vision for the future of education. Her innovative approaches to teaching and unwavering advocacy for students with diverse learning needs have garnered recognition, positioning Ariael as a thought leader in the realm of inclusive education. Her dedication to nurturing compassionate, informed, and socially responsible individuals is evident in every aspect of her work. Ariael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Delaware State University and a Master’s in Teaching from Relay Graduate School. With a career spanning several years in the field of special education, Ariael has become a beacon of inspiration and a catalyst for transformation within educational communities.
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