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Intro
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Mental health matters!! Everyone deserves to be well
Some days, self-care looks like rest. Other days, it’s showing up for therapy, journaling your truth, or simply breathing through the moment. Healing isn’t linear — it’s layered, messy, and deeply human. I’ve learned that strength isn’t about holding everything together. It’s about knowing when to let go, when to ask for…
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Glasgow Clyde College: Nurturing Wellbeing in the Digital Campus
A recent conversation with Alison Cox, Mental Health Lead at Glasgow Clyde College, highlighted a truly inspiring approach to student and staff wellbeing. It’s a story of vision, collaboration, and the powerful role of digital tools in fostering a thriving educational community. Beyond "Mental Illness Lead": A Holistic…
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Slaying Dragons & Stress Management
A Perspective On Stress My son recently got glasses after a routine check up showed he needed them. Mental health is like a pair of glasses through which we perceive the world and experience life. Like glasses that get dirty over time (or instantly in the case of my son), our perception of ourselves and the world can…
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Why "Mental Health Matters" Should Be More Than Just a Hashtag
Jenna Ashley (@JenniferAshley) | Dedicated Instructional Designer | Orange County Department of Education Lora Miller (@LoraMiller) | Dedicated Instructional Designer | Utah State Board of Education Jackie Stoss (@JackieStoss) | Dedicated Instructional Designer Why is Mental Health in Our Youth So Important? In today's…
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How Higher Education and School Districts Are Spreading Holiday Cheer
The holiday season can be a mix of emotions for students, from the excitement of celebrations to the challenges of being away from family or facing financial hardships. Recognizing this, colleges, universities, and school districts are stepping up with creative and heartfelt initiatives to foster joy, connection, and…
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From Our Instructure Community to Yours: Wishing You a Warm Holiday Season
As the year draws to a close and the holiday season is upon us, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible community that makes up Instructure—educators, parents, and students alike. You are the heart and soul of what we do, and it’s a privilege to be part of a mission that supports your learning journeys every…
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Surviving Suicide
Trigger Warning: This piece contains sensitive content, including mentions of suicide and descriptions of loss, grief, and survivor’s guilt. It also discusses the emotional impact of losing loved ones to suicide. Please read with care, and reach out for support if needed. If you are struggling or need someone to talk to,…
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Perspective is Everything: How Latinos Flip the Script on Loss by Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos on
Mental health is often viewed as a taboo subject in Latinx communities, where discussing emotions and personal struggles was discouraged for generations. Many of us, including my friends, family, and colleagues, grew up feeling that expressing our feelings was a sign of weakness, and emotional vulnerability was met with…
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Beating the Burnout Blues: Prioritizing Mental Health in Education
Teaching is often described as a noble profession that shapes future generations' minds and equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. However, behind the classroom doors lies a reality educators face more than ever: teacher burnout. In a 2023 InstructureCast conversation, host Nicole Hiers, joined by…
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Supporting Mental Wellbeing: Instructure's October Social Media Recap
October was a significant month for mental health awareness, culminating in World Mental Health Day on October 10th. At Instructure, we believe in the power of prioritizing mental well-being, and we used our social media platforms throughout the month to share resources, encourage open conversations, and foster a…
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Students Co-creating Canvas to Support Their Mental Health and Wellbeing
The University of Wolverhampton is leading one of 18 UK national projects funded by the Office for Students. The project represents a partnership with the Students’ Union, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Recovery College to develop, test and deliver an innovative online suite of tools to support students in…
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Tapping into Tech to Support Students and Teachers
In a 2023 episode of InstructureCast, Melissa Loble and Ryan Lufkin are joined by Texas A&M University's Dr. Jocelyn Widmer and student Ellie Richter to chat about how important mental health is and how technology can help support teachers and students. Through Richter and Widmer's efforts, Texas A&M students now have…
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Navigating Mental Health in Higher Education
Every student has a story, whether they are a first-generation student navigating higher education alone or a working professional balancing a career and new studies. Each journey comes with its own set of hurdles. This is why institutions are focusing on how they can better assist students with stress and other challenges…
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On-Demand Mental Health Support through Canvas LMS
Student mental health and well-being is one of the most pressing issues for higher education institutions nationwide. Studies have repeatedly found that emotional health challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression are the leading impediments to academic success. As the rush of the new semester becomes routine, it’s…