Counselors Share Tips on Protecting Your Mental Health In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the school counseling team at Rachel Carson Middle School — Karla Chustz, Rachel Copeland, Nina Ghafori, Christy Ryder, and Beth Schires — offer some tips for teens and employees to work toward better mental health. If you or someone you know are experiencing a crisis or emotional distress, call or text 988. Tips for Teens
- Find your person or trusted adult that you can share concerns with.
- Have a thing: a hobby or activity that you enjoy doing outside of school.
- Give yourself grace and space. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you’re overwhelmed with big feelings, allow yourself some time to process them before reacting.
- Enjoy every win, even the little ones!
- Breaks matter: Be sure to take breaks from electronics, social media, studying, etc. Allow your brain time to rest, switch gears, and work in different ways. Tips for Teachers
- Have a support system in place, and check in with them regularly.
- Take time for yourself to do something you enjoy.
- Practice gratitude: Remember to think about the things you appreciate and focus on positive things.
- Set boundaries. Disconnect from work when the school day is over.
- Find times for joy in your day. Laughter and smiles are contagious. 🙂 The Carson team was recently recognized by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as a model program and was awarded the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation for 2025 for successfully demonstrating how their comprehensive school counseling programs benefit all students. Currently, 14 FCPS school counseling programs have active RAMP certification. All FCPS school counseling programs implement a data-driven comprehensive model that helps ensure equity and access for all students and focuses on closing the achievement gap. Learn more about the benefits of FCPS School Counseling Services.