HUNTSVILLE — “Recharge,” a free online mental health resource for teachers, was launched Monday as part of Teacher Appreciation Week.
Leadership Greater Huntsville’s L-35 Flagship Class created the program to help promote self-care, mental health, and overall wellness.
The group teamed with WellStone, a behavioral health-care provider, and locally owned Solid Ground Counseling, which specializes in family behavioral health.
Recharge is designed to provide teachers and staff with tailored content that focuses on the importance of mental health and overall wellness. Teachers can take a deep dive into engaging videos, informative articles, and curated content.
The website, developed in collaboration with local area mental health service providers, hosts videos, articles, and locally curated content for educators.
Teachers are familiar with the stress of excessive workloads, limited resources, and a lack of recognition. They also faced unprecedented challenges over the past two years, requiring them to alter their practices and conform to a remote teaching environment.
“The COVID pandemic has uprooted teachers’ lives, burdened them with new responsibilities, and harmed their morale,” said Karen Petersen, director of Development at WellStone. “Teachers are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety during the pandemic, leaving them at a higher risk for long-term physical and mental health complications.”
Teachers are responsible for educating the next generation; therefore, their self-care should be a priority, according to Rachel Sullivan, owner of Solid Ground Counseling Center.
“Taking care of yourself is not selfish,” she said. “The saying ‘you cannot pour from an empty cup’ is so true. Creating healthy habits of tending to our needs is a vital aspect of optimal functioning, especially for teachers who have a tendency to always put others first.”
Leadership Greater Huntsville’s mission is to identify, educate, inspire and connect leaders to serve the communities of Huntsville, Madison and Madison County, and the surrounding regions of Alabama.
The annual Flagship program, which spans 10 months, is for senior leaders who have demonstrated leadership experience and proven success over significant business operations.
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