eQUIP And What It Means For Your School!

E-Therapy – ArSHA | The Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association

eQUIP And What It Means For Your School!
By Jon Ebert

Mental Health is THE spotlight topic when looking at kids and schools today.  The prevailing data supports this increased focus on kids and the mental/emotional challenges they are facing.  For those that are working to educate our children, having an awareness of the impact that Mental Health has on each of us as well as our students is especially important.

As professional educators, how many of you have dealt with Mental Health related issues in your work with students? Consider for a moment that 20% of youth ages 13-18 will be impacted by a serious mental health condition at some point during the next year or that 50% of all lifetime mental illness symptoms begin during adolescence. Statistically speaking, this means every school, every grade level, and even every classroom will be impacted by mental health symptoms during the next 12 months. Do you feel prepared and capable to recognize students who may be experiencing mental health distress? Would you know how to respond and support such students who may be dealing with Mental Health issues? 

                                                            What Does eQUIP Mean? 

To equip means “to give someone the skills needed to do a particular thing” or “to provide someone with objects that are needed for a particular activity or purpose”.  At E-Therapy, the dynamic training model we have developed not only emphasizes the importance of and need to EQUIP others, we have also organized our training elements around this EQUIP acronym.  It is our belief that to build healthy schools, healthy staff, and healthy students we EQUIP others by focusing on the following:

“E” represents Engaging Environments.  This is a foundational element since a safe and secure environment is key to individual growth and realizing our full potential.  Environments that meet our fundamental needs of safety allow us opportunities to Engage, grow, and learn personally, socially, and academically.  A school’s culture, sense of community, and ability to allow students to feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves are all key elements to student Engagement.  As students become more engaged, they begin to open themselves up to more personal Connection.

“Q” represents Quality Connections.  These Quality Connections provide a strong base for relationships to be built and trust and rapport to be established.  Students are yearning for Connection and focusing on creative ways to establish this as part of your school and classroom are key in order for effective communication to occur.  It is these feelings of trust and acceptance that promote the ability for improved Understanding.

“U” represents Understanding. This isn’t simply understanding who people are but also what they are going through and how they are interpreting and being impacted by their environment.  Developing an understanding of what a student experiencing Mental Health distress looks like and how this may manifest in the classroom is also a vital element of supporting students. As our Understanding continually develops so does our ability to employ supportive, therapeutic Interpersonal Interactions. 

“I” represents Interpersonal Interactions.  While we can’t control how others respond to us, we can control how we respond to them.  Our interpersonal Interactions have a direct impact on how those that are in our care react to us.  Through our words and actions, we can either strengthen connection and rapport or we can damage it.  Our control always is found in the things we choose to say and do.  It is virtually impossible to help problem solve solutions if we are unintentionally creating obstacles for ourselves and those around us.  A focus on Interactions that are supportive and therapeutic allow us better opportunities to partner, support, and pour into the students in our care.  That said, we also have to intentionally set time aside for our own Personal Care and Development.  You simply can’t pour anything out of an empty cup.

“P” represents Personal Care and Development.  This may be the most important element for teachers to keep in the front of their mind since failing to consider one’s Personal Care will hinder your effectiveness to be there for your students, your co-workers, and your family.  Those that exhaust themselves always trying to meet the needs of others will eventually have nothing left to give, resulting in burn-out and declining physical and mental health. By taking time to prioritize your own needs, you make it possible to achieve your own goals as well as help others achieve theirs.

Engaging environments, Quality connections, Understanding, Interpersonal interactions, and Personal care and development are the pillars upon which healthy schools, healthy staff, and healthy students are built.  An honest evaluation of each of these areas and ways that schools are implementing the principles associated with each is critical in order to meet the ever-changing needs our students present.  You can do this and E-Therapy is here to help



Jon Ebert is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with youth and families in both public and private settings for the past 20 years.  In addition, Jon has spent the last 12 years focusing on mental health training programs and supports that equip and empower teachers in their daily work with students. He has also had the privilege of providing supports to military students and their families concerning youth mental health, family dynamics, and transition.  Currently, Jon is focusing his efforts on working directly with students, school districts, and families to strengthen their ability to recognize and respond to those who may be in distress.For more information please visit E-Theapy at https://www.electronic-therapy.com/mental-health-and-equip/



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