Did you know 1 out of 6 American children are dealing with a mental health condition?
To combat this crisis, families, educators and other professionals need to be proactive! Brain Enrichment Initiative (BEI) is focused on supporting students by working to remove behavioral, social, and emotional barriers to a students’ success through an evidence-based mentorship program.
BEI has identified the key challenges affecting today’s youth and has created a blueprint to tackle them. By linking education to social emotional learning and brain wellness, students can establish their own routine to better their overall health.
By identifying the key challenges impacting students, we’ve developed a comprehensive approach to address issues facing today’s youth. Interested in bringing BEI to your school or district? Contact us today to learn more.
Mental Wellness Challenges Impacting Students
Mental illness is more prominent than ever among students of all ages. From elementary to high school, children are experiencing a record number of cases of general anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma. According to the CDC, among adolescents aged 12-17 years in 2018-2019 reporting on the past year:
5.1% had a major depressive episode.
36.7% had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
4.1% had a substance use disorder.
1.6% had an alcohol use disorder.
3.2% had an illicit drug use disorder.
18.8% seriously considered attempting suicide.
15.7% made a suicide plan.
8.9% attempted suicide.
2.5% made a suicide attempt requiring medical treatment.
While the stigma around mental health can present a variety of challenges and barriers, it is critical that schools take action to provide brain enrichment initiatives to help students overcome poor mental health. BEI works with districts to address these issues at a root level to help students thrive.
The Process:
BEI’s Approach to Children’s Mental & Behavioral Health
Our process starts off by being referred to a school in need of our services. We meet with professional staff to determine an understanding of specific needs for their students and give them the tools they need to support their students. During our 16-week program, the students with their mentor will:
- Study curriculum and activities focusing on positive brain health
- Set expectations through a written agreement of understanding between mentor and mentee
- Establish process to review status and goals.
Our goal is to assist present professionals to ensure our program fits their needs as well. Our program is designed to be flexible to fit various school schedules and we are determined to only provide value to a school’s pre-existing school day.
Our Program
How the Our Program Works in 7 Steps
BEI’s unique program design allows us to create benchmarks and develop a student mentoring program that partners students with professional educators, school psychology resources, and administrative support. The following seven steps are a general outline of what our program would look like in your school.
- Determine appropriate time, place, and scenario best fit for each individual school district.
- Determine students appropriate for program (mentees).
- Determine students who will learn & teach curriculum (mentors).
- Teach mentors curriculum first semester via BEI mentor directors.
- Link mentors with mentees anonymously but with the guidance of school staff.
- Mentors teach mentees curriculum second semester.
- Bench-mark assessments will determine the process of both students.
Addressing Issues Students Face Through a Comprehensive Curriculum
BEI provides a holistic social and emotional learning curriculum that focuses on supporting student brain health and follows the Ohio Department of Education’s Social and Emotional Learning Standards. By working to remove behavioral, social, and emotional barriers, we empower students to address mental health challenges.
What is included in the curriculum?
BEI works within your school district’s community, utilizing a mentorship framework to connect with students. The program features the unique combination of social emotional learning and brain health education, including:
- Up to 16 weekly hour-long guidance sessions.
- Group-based social and emotional brain health activities.
- Access to mental health tools and resources.
- Emotional and mental wellbeing development.
- Norm-based assessment and progress monitoring.
Learn More About the BEI Curriculum
Our Program
Sound Minds, Bright Futures
Our program is a holistic resource that equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to cultivate resilience and grit, develop strong character, achieve academic success, live mindfully in the present moment, and proactively get ahead of mental health risks.
The Process
1. Have an initial meeting with school district.
2. Determine program type for your individual school district.
3. Identify mentors and mentees.
4. Director of Mentorship teaches mentors BEI curriculum (Phase 1).
5. Partner mentors and mentees anonymously with school’s guidance.
6. Mentors teach mentees BEI curriculum (Phase 2).
7. Curriculum takes place.
8. Outcomes/benchmarks determined by BEI and shared with school.
Program Benefits
A strong and motivational program† with a focus on passion, guidance, and accessibility. Participants work alongside their Mentors with guidance from the BEI Director of Mentorship.
A powerful mentorship experience
Receive guidance and coachingthroughout a one-on-one, unique mentorship experience while following the BEI curriculum and work book materials.
Benchmark goal setting and measurements
Establish a behavioral picture of each participant with a program model set up to monitor and measure throughout.
Work within the community
Utilize community partners in order to bring the most authentic and connected human experience to participants.
Help school district focus on daily tasks and/or their curriculum
Help adolescents in everyday life or the classroom setting by providing and guiding them with an overall positive and motivating learning experience.
†Program not to exceed 16 weeks long in one academic school year.
