Project Resilience Newsletter

May Edition 2025

Norma Fernandez, Superintendent of Schools, Candace Coccaro, Director, Student Life and Services

Mental Health Awareness Month

In 1949, Mental Health America declared May as Mental Health Awareness Month to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote early detection and treatment. Mental health is vital to well-being, and open conversations strengthen our community of parents, teachers, and students.

Your Mental Health Matters: Mental health is crucial to our overall well-being, as it affects physical health, relationships, emotional balance, and our ability to cope with life's challenges.

IMeeting Mental health stigma head on: Influencers and celebrities have openly shared their mental health struggles, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram allowing users to comment, often revealing a deeper issue: stigma. Stigma is the shame placed on those seen as troubled or different, causing rejection and making people avoid seeking help. It divides communities. The solution? Changing the conversation.

Changing the Conversation

Talking about mental health matters because it helps reduce stigma, promotes understanding, and encourages people to seek support when needed. Open conversations create a more supportive environment, improve well-being, and ultimately lead to better mental health outcomes for individuals and communities.

How Do We Start the Conversation

Starting a conversation about mental health can feel challenging, but it’s important to approach it with openness and empathy. Be mindful about your language when talking about mental health. You can begin by asking simple, non-judgmental questions like, "How have you been feeling lately?" or "Is there anything on your mind that you want to talk about?" Make sure to listen actively, show support, and avoid rushing to offer solutions. Creating a safe, non-pressuring space for the other person to share is key. Starting with honesty and vulnerability can also help others feel more comfortable opening up.

Keep the Door Open To Continue to Talk About Mental Health

To keep the door open for ongoing conversations about mental health, it's important to maintain a supportive, non-judgmental attitude. Check in regularly with others, using open-ended questions like, "How have you been feeling?" or "Is there anything you want to talk about today?" Show understanding and patience, and avoid pushing someone to share if they’re not ready. Normalizing mental health discussions by talking about your own experiences or challenges can also make others feel more comfortable. Creating a culture of openness and acceptance ensures that mental health remains an ongoing, natural topic of conversation.

Talking to Children about Mental Health

When talking about mental health with children, discuss recognizing and expressing emotions, managing stress, and practicing self-care. Encourage seeking help when needed, addressing mental health stigma, and using available resources like counselors. Talk about building resilience and the importance of staying strong during tough times.

Ways to Improve you Health

  • Exercising regularly
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
  • Practicing mindfulness or meditation
  • Staying connected with friends and family
  • Setting and achieving small, realistic goals
  • Taking time for relaxation and hobbies
  • Seeking professional support when needed
  • Practicing gratitude and positive thinking
  • Managing stress through breathing exercises or yoga
  • Limiting screen time and social media usage
  • Being kind to yourself and practice self-compassion
  • Checking in with Yourself Regularly About How you Feel
Mental illness is not a weakness, You are not defined by your mental health, Break the stigma, Challenge mental health stereotypes, and Mental health is something we should talk about openly.
Educate yourself about mental health, Mental health affects everyone, Listen to others who are struggling, Promote mental health awareness, and Mental health is a global issue.

Checking in with Yourself Regularly About How you Feel

  1. Daily Reflection: Set aside a few minutes each day, ideally in the morning or before bed, to reflect on your emotions and mental state.
  2. Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings to better understand your mood and patterns.
  3. Mindfulness Practice: Pause throughout the day to check in with your body and mind, noticing any tension or emotions you're experiencing.
  4. Mood Tracking: Use a mood tracker app or a simple scale (1-10) to rate how you feel each day and identify any trends.
  5. Ask Yourself Questions: Regularly ask, "How am I feeling today?" or "What’s been on my mind?" to stay connected with your emotions.
  6. Body Scan: Pay attention to physical sensations (tension, fatigue, etc.) as they can reflect your emotional state.
  7. Set Intentions: Begin your day by setting an intention to notice and acknowledge your emotions throughout the day.
  8. Talk to Someone: Check in with a trusted friend or therapist to gain perspective on your feelings.

Ways to improve your mental health with self regulation techniques

  1. Mindful Breathing: Focus on slow, deep breaths to reduce anxiety and calm your mind.
  2. Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Tense and then relax different muscle groups to release tension.
  3. Cognitive Reframing: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with more balanced perspectives.
  4. Emotion Labeling: Name and acknowledge your emotions to better understand and manage them.
  5. Mindfulness Meditation: Practice being present in the moment to increase awareness and reduce stress.
  6. Self-Talk Awareness: Pay attention to your internal dialogue and replace self-criticism with self-compassion.
  7. Visualization: Imagine a peaceful or calming scenario to help ease stress.
  8. Grounding Techniques: Use your senses to connect with the present moment, such as focusing on what you see, hear, or feel.
  9. Time Management: Organize tasks to reduce overwhelm and manage stress effectively.
  10. Gratitude Practice: Focus on positive aspects of your life to shift your mindset.

Mental Health in the Workplace

Mental health in the workplace is essential for both employee well-being and organizational success. Struggles with mental health, such as stress and anxiety, can negatively impact productivity and job performance, while a mentally healthy workforce is more engaged and innovative. Employers can support mental health by offering resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), providing flexibility with work hours, and fostering a safe, open culture for discussing mental health. Employees can prioritize their well-being by setting boundaries, taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, and seeking support when needed. A focus on mental health leads to increased engagement, reduced absenteeism, and improved team dynamics, benefiting both individuals and organizations.

How many positive comments does a person need to combat 1 negative comment

Studies and psychological research on human behavior suggest that it typically takes around 5 to 7 positive comments to counterbalance the impact of one negative comment. Negativity bias refers to the tendency for negative experiences or comments to have a stronger emotional impact than positive ones due to our evolutionary focus on potential threats. This bias makes negative feedback, especially when it challenges insecurities, more difficult to ignore. Positive comments, however, can boost self-esteem, encourage resilience, and shift focus to one's strengths, helping counteract the effects of negativity. The quality of positive feedback matters significantly; personalized, specific, and empathetic comments are more effective than generic praise. In workplace or social settings, consistent positive feedback fosters well-being, reduces stress, and strengthens relationships. While a single negative comment can outweigh many positives, sustained and sincere positive feedback can help individuals build resilience and foster a supportive environment, ultimately reducing the impact of negativity.

Jersey City Public School District Wide Kindness Challenge

In support of mental health in the workplace, join us in launching the district wide Kindness Challenge to promote positivity and well-being in our schools. Together, we can make a meaningful difference by encouraging acts of kindness throughout our community.

Flyer Link: Kindness Challenge 2025
Log Link: Kindness Challenge Flyer

We invite you and your students to participate by logging acts of kindness in your schools. Simply scan the QR code on the flyer or follow the provided link to submit entries. Schools and students with outstanding participation will be recognized and awarded for their contributions.

Thrive Asynchronous Presentations

Proper Social Media Usage and Concerns for Parents and Students

6 Tips for Parents
6 Tips for Elementary Students
6 Tips for Middle School Students
6 Tips for High School Students

Mental Health Resources

Addiction Resources

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMAHSA) is a free, confidential, 24/7. 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) 1-800-662-HELP (4347)
  • Alcoholics Anonymous or call (908) 687-8566
  • Narcotics Anonymous
  • NJ Self Help Clearinghouse - 800-367-6274