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There are many places you can go to find definitions for mental health: Webster’s Dictionary, National Department of Health; National Department of Mental Health to name a few. (For those of you not residing in USA I bet your national government has an agency that also defines mental health.) Please refer to these sources if you’re interested in a formal definition. I have included some in abbreviated versions at the end of this post. I want to offer you a working definition that helps define daily habits and practices.

64% of young adults report being bullied by a teacher at least once over the course of their lifetime, while 93% of high school and college students identified at least one teacher as a bully in their school. These statistics highlight a scary reality that many students face — while most teachers have good intentions in making a positive impact in their students’ lives, it’s imperative to realize that bullying can come from an adult in the classroom. 

What is meditation? How is it done? What are the benefits, and why should you (and I) do it? It’s simple. Meditation can change one’s life from the inside out. The memory of my first meditation remains with me, and it has evolved from a 5-minute meditation to an hour meditation, twice a day. Since the first time I sat up in bed to meditate, I have become more conscious of the changes inside my mind, spirit, and external physical life.

Bullying is prevalent in the United States, negatively impacting all youth involved, including those who get bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness the bullying. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says this problem is so common that one in five high school students report getting bullied.

I often laugh at myself when I think of fun ways I can support my children. From tea parties, to dance offs, to football drills; my children definitely test my energy, flexibility, and durability! To “support” our children is to share the metaphorical weight of their positive and negative experiences and emotions. Providing support requires us to be physically, mentally, and spiritually present throughout their highs and lows

Giftiply’s goal is dependent on creating connections between our amazing partners and our readers, customers, and those looking to join important causes. Foundational and truly life-changing, Stand for the Silent is an incredible anti-bullying organization that works with students, teachers, and parents alike to stamp out peer-to-peer cruelty. Stand for the Silent works to create positive spaces where kids and teens can learn and socialize safely.

I believe I received this shirt on Father’s Day in 2015. As you can tell by the wear and tear, it’s one of my favorite shirts. I don’t remember exactly what I said when my family handed it to me, but it was probably something like, “that’s right!” Yeah teaching children to be inquisitive is important, but not more important than doing what I say when I say it! I even ran into an older gentleman who read my shirt and said, “Hey, I would do what you say too.”

When I began this podcast, I never imagined that I would meet real live superheroes. Kirk Smalley is the President of StandForTheSilent.org. This nonprofit organization was started in 2010 by a group of high school students in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma after they heard the story of Kirk’s son, Ty who committed suicide after standing up to bullies in his school. Stand for the Silent has chapters in 40 states and 18 different countries. Kirk’s organization has spoken with 4,911 schools and over 3.5 million children in order to help prevent bullying.

Technology is integral to a child’s life. They will see it everywhere from birth and will inevitably grow up using it. It can be extremely educational, help build skills, and be a creative outlet. It can also be dangerous — predators, hackers, and other threats use technology to hurt others. We’ll teach you how to protect your children from the wide variety of threats out there, including the over-usage of technology itself.

Self-confidence is key in a human being’s professional, social, and family life, and the good news for parents of young children is that it is easy to build! Unlike self-esteem, which is more inward facing and which relates to our own sense of self and how we interact with others, self-confidence is outward-facing. It can be achieved through knowledge and practice. Essentially, the more your child does something, the more confident they become in their ability to do it well.

Oxford Languages defines trust as a “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” Trust is the foundation upon which all healthy relationships are built. It is a key enabler for parents, teachers, and mentors to bridge the communication gap and give our children a voice. With time, a trusting relationship instills confidence, opens the lines of communication, and creates a safe place for our children.

The mental health of students is a topic not often discussed or addressed in the school setting, particularly when related to bullying, and can be detrimental to the students’ overall experience.

Bullying affects many Americans, and it’s important to end this cycle of suffering by showing community support for victims. The CDC highlights that bullying is a widespread concern that impacts even the youngest age group in communities. In fact, about one in five high school students have reported being bullied in academic institutions.