Darian Eletto & Angela Prestifilippo - Caregiving and the Caregiver: Supporting School aged children with mental health challenges and their loved ones

Teachers are often the first adults to notice when a child is struggling emotionally or behaviorally. This session will equip educators with practical strategies to recognize common mental health challenges in school-age children and respond in supportive, trauma-informed ways within the classroom. Participants will learn how mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, behavioral dysregulation, and stress can present in academic settings and how these challenges impact learning, behavior, and peer relationships.

The presentation will also focus on partnering with parents and caregivers—many of whom are navigating their own stress while supporting a child with mental health needs. Educators will leave with tools to foster supportive communication, reduce stigma, and create classroom environments that promote emotional safety, resilience, and connection while collaborating effectively with families and school support teams