Dr. Anedra Million is an accomplished educator with nearly three decades of experience in various teaching roles, including second, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, as well as positions as an assistant principal and principal. Currently, she teaches sixth-grade Social Studies and Science at Creekview Elementary School in Middletown City School District, Ohio. Dr. Million was the 2024 Mrs. Ohio America. Her passion for education and mental health advocacy is deeply embedded in her professional and personal life.

In this engaging episode of "School Wellness," Amanda Hampton hosts Dr. Anedra Million, a veteran educator and the 2024 Mrs. Ohio America. Together, they explore the role of prevention and school partnerships in supporting mental health and wellness for children. Dr. Million discusses her three-decade-long journey in education, highlighting her experience in teaching various grade levels and holding administrative roles. Her commitment to prevention and mental health advocacy stems from witnessing the challenges faced by students who lack necessary support systems.

The conversation delves into Dr. Million's proactive strategies for enhancing mental health in schools, such as implementing morning meetings, wellness journals, and mindfulness breaks. She shares her passion for creating safe spaces for students to express and manage their emotions. As Mrs. Ohio America, Dr. Million's platform emphasizes mental health and substance misuse prevention, advocating for the use of kindness and empathy in combating mental health challenges. Her insightful stories and experiences underscore the significance of preventive measures in education and the profound impact they can have on students' lives.

• Prevention and Mental Health: Dr. Million emphasizes the critical need for prevention in schools, viewing it as essential rather than supplementary.

• Classroom Strategies: Implementation of morning meetings, wellness journals, and mindfulness activities foster a supportive classroom environment.

• Platform and Advocacy: As Mrs. Ohio America, Dr. Million used her platform to spotlight mental health issues, focusing on children's invisible struggles.

• Relationship Building: Establishing strong, trusting relationships between educators and students is vital for effective learning environments.

• Parental Involvement: Encouraging parents to engage in open conversations with their children daily is crucial for supporting children's emotional well-being.

• "Prevention isn't an extra, you know, it's an essential."

• "Children just having the opportunity to see how many reasons that they have to keep going, to never give up, to continue to shine their light."

• "Every child needs at least one adult in their life that refuses to give up on them."

• "Mental health and prevention programs are not just programs, they're people. We have real-life stories behind each of these situations."

• "You have to continue to understand the power of this work and to continue to recharge yourself."

• Ohio School Based Center of Excellence at Miami University: Website

Stay informed and inspired by tuning into more episodes of "School Wellness" for insightful discussions on education and wellness led by Amanda Hampton. Whether you're an educator, parent, or advocate, the podcast offers valuable perspectives and strategies to support young minds.

Melissa Slatzer is a dedicated school counselor and adult advisor for Sources of Strength at Glen Oak High School in Stark County, Ohio. With over 11 years of experience as a school counselor and an additional decade as a mental health counselor, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role. She is committed to fostering supportive educational environments and leveraging her mental health background to implement innovative wellness programs like Sources of Strength in schools.

In this enlightening episode of School Wellness with Amanda Hampton, we explore innovative suicide prevention efforts at Glen Oak High School in Ohio with school counselor Melissa Slatzer. The episode delves deep into how Glen Oak High School implements the Sources of Strength program, an evidence-based initiative fostering peer leadership and promoting mental health. Melissa shares her journey from mental health counseling to school counseling, emphasizing the power of teamwork in effecting positive change for students. This episode offers valuable insights into modern approaches to school-based wellness and suicide prevention, emphasizing upstream strategies.

Melissa recounts the implementation and impact of Sources of Strength, sharing the selection process for peer leaders and adult advisors and how these elements come together to create a positive school culture. The discussion highlights the unique approach of Sources of Strength, which switches the focus from problem-centric to strength-centric conversations. Melissa and Amanda explore the importance of social networking theory, campaign planning with students, and fostering a supportive community within and outside the school environment. Their dialogue sheds light on how integration of wellness programs can significantly shift educational settings towards a more supportive, engaging, and fun atmosphere.

• Implementation of Sources of Strength: Glen Oak High School successfully integrates Sources of Strength, focusing on social diversity in peer leadership.

• Unique Approach: The program emphasizes upstream prevention and strength-based discussions rather than only focusing on risk.

• Impact on School Culture: Since implementing Sources of Strength, Glen Oak has observed improvements in school climate, discipline, and peer interaction.

• Importance of Fun: Games and fun activities are integral to meetings, helping generate creativity and foster engagement among students.

• Community Involvement: Building community partnerships and focusing on mental health can significantly enhance the impact of wellness programs.

• "When you have a multidisciplinary team of people who really are invested in caring about kids, you see more of an impact."

• "Sources of Strength is radically upstream. It's taking the conversation to create protective factors for our young people."

• "...Normalizing that there's going to be ups and downs in life is key."

• "It's changed even the way that I provide counseling for kids, really looking at positive psychology and solution-focused ways."

• "I would love to see kids prioritizing mental health and wellness as a goal."

• Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence

• Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation

Listen to the full episode for more inspiring insights on transforming school environments and promoting wellness through innovative programs. Stay tuned for more enriching discussions on the School Wellness podcast!