This course satisfies the Safety, Support and Wellness requirement for the School Culture Advocate Certification. Learn more at www.safeschoolsacademy.org/csca.

Course description: In today’s intensely competitive and high-pressure society, more and more people feel emotionally numb, isolated or inadequate. As a result, the number of people with depression has increased, including students in the K-12 education system. As schools have become a central point in providing students with safety and wellness, it is imperative that educators and administrators are equipped to help students recognize and process any depression they may be experiencing, and provide them the necessary supports.

In this course, participants will gain a foundational understanding of mental health, depression, and stress in our students. Participants will learn about the signs and symptoms of depressive disorders in elementary, middle school, and high school students, with specific attention to students from marginalized communities. Participants will also understand some of the underlying causes of depression, including Adverse Childhood Experiences, social media, and academic pressures. Later in the course, participants will dive into understanding the signs and symptoms of various depressive disorders (and other commonly related mental health disorders), including Bi-Polar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Eating Disorders. At the end of the course, participants will study some of the warning signs of major depression, self-harm, and suicidal behaviors. Lastly, participants will reflect on the ways educators can support students with depression in the classroom. Special attention will highlight educator mental health and self-care. The course culminates with participants completing an implementation plan to take their new learning back to their schools and classrooms.

Click here to access the course syllabus.

This is a 2-credit course.*

*Participants taking Drake graduate credit can enroll in a maximum of 12 graduate hours per academic semester. If you take more than 12 credit hours, not all of your credits will be issued nor will your money be refunded. 

Upcoming sections:
January 19, 2025 - March 1, 2025
March 23, 2025 - May 3, 2025
May 18, 2025 - June 28, 2025

Course Fees (✨🎅🎁 Happy Holidays!: $80 License Renewal Credit and $280 Grad Credit now through 1/5/25! Prices automatically applied—NO CODE REQUIRED! ✨🎅🎁):

License Renewal - $190 $80
Para credit - $190 $80
Graduate Credit - $350 $280
Audit - $70

If you have questions, check out our FAQ page! You can also email academy@iowasafeschools.org or call 515.381.0588 if you’d prefer to pay by check.

Cancellation/Refund Policy
Please review our Terms & Conditions for more information on our refund and transfer policy.

Minimum Registration Limit
Beginning 8/1/2021, the minimum registration limit for a class will be three (3) registrants. If your registered class does not meet the minimum registration limit one week prior to your course start date, our Registrar will contact you about future transfer options.

Transcripts
Please allow up to two weeks for transcripts to be processed following a course end date. Request your transcripts by going to http://www.safeschoolsacademy.org/transcripts.