Self-Care Strategies for Student Mental Health

Pictured:

Week one of the Self-Care Mental Health Workbook

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a meaningful time for school counselors to spotlight the importance of emotional well-being and the daily habits that sustain it. As we support our students, one of the most powerful lessons we can teach is that mental health is not just something to "check in on" during a crisis—it's something to care for consistently.

That’s where self-care routines come in.

Self-care isn't about following the latest trends or indulging in surface-level activities like skincare. It's about helping students tune into their physical, emotional, and mental needs. Developing a personalized self-care routine can help students build resilience, regulate emotions, and feel more in control of their well-being. 

But here’s the challenge: many students don’t know where to begin.

One of the most effective ways to guide students in creating their own self-care routines is by encouraging them to explore self-care practices and assess what works best for them. Here’s how:

• Try Out Different Coping Skills
  Encourage students to try out various coping skills that support their mental health. This could include deep breathing exercises, journaling, going outside, or creative outlets like drawing or listening to music. Guide them to rate these coping strategies and reflect on which ones work best for them.

• Prioritize Weekly Tasks
  Help students prioritize tasks for the week, making time for what matters most while also building in time for rest and relaxation. Discuss with them how to break down big tasks into manageable steps so they don’t feel overwhelmed. Teach them the importance of balancing productivity with rest.

• Identify Physical Needs: Food, Sleep, and Movement

  Encourage students to track their food, sleep, and movement habits. Help them notice how balanced meals affect their energy, how sleep impacts their focus, and how physical activity boosts their mood and stress levels.

Looking for a resource to help your students with these steps? Check out the Mental Health Self-Care Routine Workbook pictured above.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s encourage our students to see self-care not as a luxury, but as a necessity. By helping them build a sustainable routine, we’re not only supporting their mental health now—we're giving them tools they can carry into adulthood.