Mental Health Awareness Month: What Helps Schools Thrive

Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that wellness is not separate from learning, rather it is one of the conditions that makes learning possible.

Over the past several years, students, educators, and families across Durham have navigated extraordinary challenges. Through the WHOLE Schools Movement, we have had the opportunity to listen closely to our community and learn alongside schools about what helps people feel supported, connected, and able to thrive.

One lesson continues to rise to the surface: school wellness is built through everyday relationships and intentional care.

• It grows when students feel seen and valued beyond academics.

• It grows when educators have spaces for reflection, support, and restoration.

• It grows when families can access resources in ways that feel welcoming and connected to community.

• And it grows when schools create environments where belonging, healing, and emotional wellbeing are treated as essential — not optional.

  
  

Throughout this work, we have seen what becomes possible when wellness is woven into school culture. Across Durham Public Schools, educators and school teams created calming spaces for students and staff, launched identity-based support groups, expanded access to mental health resources, and built opportunities for connection through retreats, wellness events, peer learning, and community-centered programming.

We have also learned that mental health support is not the responsibility of one person, one department, or one initiative alone. It requires collaboration across schools, families, community organizations, healthcare partners, and trusted adults who are willing to show up consistently for young people.

Most importantly, this work reminded us that wellness is not just about responding to crisis. It is also about helping students and educators experience joy, possibility, connection, and hope.

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we remain deeply grateful to the students, educators, families, and partners who helped shape and sustain this work. The WHOLE Schools Movement may be evolving, but the lessons, relationships, and community commitments built through this effort will continue to inform how we support wellbeing across Durham Public Schools moving forward.

Creating schools where every student and educator can thrive remains shared work — and shared responsibility — for all of us.

Best,

WHOLE Schools Team

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