Teacher Creates A Check-In Chart For Her Students Mental Health And It's Proving To Make a Difference

The idea has gone viral and many teachers are using it in their own classrooms.

Jack

• Published in Interesting
• April 13, 2019

Life can be really hard, especially for teenagers in high school. Coming to terms with your own emotions with the added pressure of the judgment of your peers, bullying, peer pressure and so many other factors makes life at this point extremely difficult for some.

After having multiple students attempt suicide over a few years, teacher Erin Castillo decided to make a significant change in her classroom. She invented the 'Check-in Chart' so that her students could semi-anonymously let her know that they were not doing so well with their mental health at any given time.

The idea has been a hit with her students and many other teachers across the world!

Erin Castillo, the teacher responsible for the idea.

The idea has been such a hit with not only the kids in her classroom but many other educators who have decided to take the idea and run with it in their own schools.

Here is Castillo's original post.

When asked for comment, Castillo said

“So many people think they’re the only ones struggling. Kids need to hear that they’re not alone and what that support looks like.”

The idea has taken off, with many avenues and groups getting behind it.

Many other teachers have taken the idea and implemented it in their own classrooms.

Love the use of emojis.

A clear hit! This should be rolled out in all schools!

Castillo originally posted on a teachers support page and this was what she wrote along side the image -

“Made this mental health check in chart after seeing a digital version for teachers on her a Facebook page.

"I asked my students to write their names on the back of a post-it note so I could check in with ones in the bottom two sections. I explained the green section as them struggling, but speaking to another adult or trying to work through it themselves."

"I was able to start some check ins today, and holy cow these kids. I love them. My heart hurts for them. High school is rough sometimes, but I was happy that a few were given a safe space to vent and work through some feelings"

"I also like that students could visually see that they aren’t alone in their struggles. It was a beautiful minimum day focusing on self care and mental health.”

Jack