The Tiger's Mind

16th Edition

On Spotify, listeners can find our Take a Beat global content hub, which includes a collection of podcasts and playlists that promote mental health and wellness. Whether you’re looking to find audio around relaxing, resting, or releasing good vibes, the curations give listeners a refuge from the intensity of our noisy world and provide a chance for them to tune into themselves.

Mental health is a crucial part of our overall well-being, yet it’s often misunderstood or avoided—especially in school environments. Whether you're a parent, teacher, counselor, or support staff, we all play a role in creating safe spaces where mental health is acknowledged, supported, and never shamed.

Why is Mental Health Still a Tough Topic?

1. Lack of Understanding
Many people simply don’t know enough about mental health conditions. This includes parents, educators, and even health professionals. Without proper knowledge, myths and fear often take over. That’s why education is key—for adults and students alike.

2. Harmful Stereotypes
Media and social platforms often portray mental illness unfairly, as a weakness or something scary. These stereotypes don’t reflect reality. Most people with mental health challenges are not dangerous—they are your students, coworkers, neighbors, and friends.

3. Fear of Judgment
It can be incredibly hard to speak up about mental health issues for fear of being judged. But when someone opens up, it’s not weakness—it’s courage. As adults in a school setting, we can model empathy and openness for our students.

4. Fear of Discrimination
Some fear losing their job or being treated differently because of a mental health condition. These fears are real and valid. But as a school community, we must work together to ensure that no one feels unsafe or unsupported because of their mental health.

What Can We Do as a School Community?

• Talk openly about mental health. Normalize the conversation.

• Educate ourselves and our children. Knowledge reduces fear.

• Offer empathy, not judgment. We don’t have to understand everything to be kind.

• Encourage therapy and support. Mental health care is just as important as physical care.

A Final Thought

We all face challenges—some visible, many not. And whether you're struggling yourself or supporting a child who is, know this: you are not alone. Mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s okay to speak up.

Let’s create a culture in our schools where mental wellness is prioritized and supported for everyone—from the youngest students to the most seasoned staff members.

Stay healthy. Stay connected. And never underestimate the power of compassion.

1. Practice mindfulness and meditation
2. Move your body with regular exercise
3. Fuel your brain with nutritious foods
4. Prioritize good sleep
5. Stay connected with loved ones
6. Set small, achievable goals
7. Limit caffeine and alcohol
8. Explore creativity
9. Try calming breathwork
10. Reach out for professional help when needed

Read the full blog post here

Taking care of your mental health is a journey, and we’re here to walk alongside you. If you or someone you love needs more support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

The Teen Toolbox is an interactive tool designed to help young people better understand mental health. Students can work through this on their own and it is available in both English and Spanish!

People with panic disorder have frequent and unexpected panic attacks.

Are you looking for some direction and unsure where to start your mental health journey?

Mental Health America's (MHA) Where to Start book helps individuals struggling with mental health find some direction and resources.

Using a jargon-free approach, MHA provides information on understanding warning signs, symptoms, and options for individuals and their mental health journey.

Tallassee High School and Southside Middle School will both have copies of this book available for students and families in English and Spanish by 25-26 school year!

It can leave deep emotional, psychological, and even physical scars that follow students for years. Whether it’s verbal, physical, social, or cyberbullying, the effects are real—and serious.

How Bullying Affects Students

Students who are bullied often experience:

• Anxiety and Depression: Constant fear or humiliation can take a toll on a child’s mental health.

• Decline in Academic Performance: It’s hard to focus on schoolwork when a child is afraid of what might happen next.

• Social Withdrawal: Students may isolate themselves, avoid group activities, or feel like they don’t belong.

• Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomachaches, and sleep disturbances can all stem from bullying-related stress.

• Long-Term Effects: Some carry the impact of bullying into adulthood, affecting confidence, relationships, and mental health.

On the other side, students who bully often struggle with deeper emotional issues and may be modeling behaviors they've learned at home or online. Addressing their behavior with support, not just punishment, is key to breaking the cycle.

What Can Parents Do?

1. Start the Conversation Early
Talk to your children about bullying—what it looks like, how it feels, and why it’s wrong. Make sure they know they can come to you if they ever feel unsafe or see someone else being hurt.

2. Look for Signs
Some kids won’t say outright that they’re being bullied. Watch for mood changes, avoidance of school, unexplained injuries, lost items, or a drop in grades. Trust your instincts if something seems off.

3. Stay Calm and Supportive
If your child confides in you, listen first. Thank them for trusting you, and resist the urge to immediately “fix” the problem. Your child needs to feel heard, validated, and supported.

4. Work With the School
Schools want to help but can’t always see everything. Communicate calmly with teachers, counselors, or administrators. Keep records of incidents and follow up regularly to make sure your child is safe and supported.

5. Promote Empathy at Home
Help your child understand how their actions affect others. Encourage kindness, inclusion, and standing up for others. Kids who learn empathy early are less likely to bully—and more likely to speak up for their peers.

6. Support Mental Health
If bullying has affected your child’s emotional health, don’t hesitate to seek professional support. Therapists and counselors can provide a safe space to heal and build resilience.

A Message to All Parents

Bullying thrives in silence. But when parents, schools, and communities work together to create open, respectful environments, we can stop bullying before it starts—and help those affected recover and grow.

Find more information on bullying on our Tallassee City Schools website.

Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard. Let's work together to make that a reality.

PARENTS: Get the best comprehensive parental control tool for you family.

• Set screen time limits
• Monitor texts & apps for bullying, depression & more
• Block dangerous websites and apps
• Get location alerts

Bark offers two plans — Bark Premium and Bark Jr — a single subscription covers every child and device in your family, with no limit on accounts, devices, or kids. Both plans come with a 7-day free trial:

Bark Premium ($14/month or $99/year)

• Parent’s top choice for comprehensive coverage.
• Monitor and receive alerts for your child’s social media, phones, tablets, and computers.
• Manage screen time, block specific websites and apps, and track their location.

Bark Jr ($5/month or $49/year)

• Gain control over screen time, block unwanted websites and apps, and filter inappropriate content.
• Track your child's whereabouts with live GPS, location alerts, and check-in features.

The Institute of Digital Media and Child Development has addressed today's most compelling questions about media's impact on child development through interdisciplinary dialogue, objective scientific research, and information sharing.

Check out their interactive website-->> www.childrenandscreens.org

As a parent or caregiver, you want the best for your children. Learn what to look for, what to do, and how to talk about mental health with your child.

Watch the video below for guidance.

Each new edition of the Tiger's Mind will feature one of the 8 dimensions of wellness so we can learn more about each element of our overall well being...

The Emotional Wellness Dimension involves the ability to express feelings, adjust to emotional challenges, cope with life’s stressors, and enjoy life. It includes knowing our strengths as well as what we want to get better at, and living and working on our own but letting others help us from time to time.

Area: Feelings/ Emotions

Think About:

• Do you allow yourself to be open to and acknowledge your feelings without judgment?
• Have you found and developed safe relationships with people or groups where you can express your feelings and thoughts?
• Do you see challenges as opportunities for growth?
• Do you recognize your limitations and learn from your mistakes?
• Are you taking responsibility for your actions?

Resources:

• Reflect each day on your emotions, what can they teach you, and how you can express them.
• Consider using a journal to record feelings and thoughts.
• Develop regular habits that help you process and deal with your feelings effectively so you move forward in fulfilling your emotional needs.
• Find a place where you feel the most comfortable and go there when you feel a need for comfort, quiet space, or safety.

Are you a parent? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the unique challenges of modern family life? Well, you're not alone. Research shows that parents today experience depression at twice the rate of the general population, despite the profound joy children bring to our lives.

Take the FREE course! The Science of Well-Being for Parents

What will I learn in this course?

The Science of Well-Being for Parents explores research-backed strategies we can use to handle the challenges of raising children. We'll discuss:

1. Managing Time

2. Prioritizing Self-Care

3. Navigating Negative Emotions

4. Fighting Stress

5. Navigating Academic Pressures

6. Technology & Social Media

Through short video lessons and parent Q&As, you'll learn practical strategies you can implement right away. You'll also get access to expert advice from other leading parenting experts. Plus, you'll see that by prioritizing your own well-being, you won’t just be helping yourself — you'll be better equipped to show up for your kids and to create a happier, healthier family life.

And if you really want to learn more about happier parenting, you can listen to the latest season of The Happiness Lab podcast which will feature long conversations with many of the experts we interview in this course. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Here’s to helping parenting!

Learn more at DrLaurieSantos.com/Parents or enroll right now on Coursera.org.

How often do you look at others and wonder why you're not "there"?

Perhaps you are looking at their financial situation, their family situation, their professional situation, or even their looks, physical wellness, etc.

We are naturally jealous people--wanting what others have is in our being.

However, we must stop using someone else's ruler to measure our own progress or success. Not everyone blooms at the same time or at the same rate. Not everyone's finish line looks like your finish line.

That's true about our children and ourselves.

We can't allow comparison to steal our joy.

We can't allow comparison to STOP our own progress because we feel defeated. KEEP pushing, friends!

You are completely capable of reaching the goals you set for YOURSELF without using someone else's ruler to see if you measure up to them.

Thank you to everyone for making our Family Engagement Educators Team (F.E.E.T.) Family Fiesta a WIN for family engagement! The hard work that goes into planning such as successful event takes dedicated team members, community partners, student volunteers, and families working together for months. We hope you enjoyed the games, ice cream, hot dogs, bounce houses, community outreach, face painting, animal balloons, and giveaways!

Read more about F.E.E.T. by clicking the button below.

When families and schools work together, students thrive. Research consistently shows that students with involved families perform better academically, have better attendance, display stronger social skills, and are more likely to graduate.

But family engagement goes beyond helping with homework or attending parent-teacher conferences. It means showing interest in your child’s education, encouraging a growth mindset, communicating with teachers, and creating a positive learning environment at home.

Even small actions—asking about your child’s day, setting routines, attending school events, or checking in on grades—send a powerful message: Your education matters, and you’re not doing this alone.

Here’s how you can stay engaged:

• Communicate regularly with teachers and school staff.

• Attend school functions—even virtually.

• Create a consistent space and time for learning at home.

• Encourage reading, curiosity, and problem-solving.

Your involvement sends a strong message to your child: “I believe in you.” And that belief makes all the difference.

Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.

Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible.

This TCS page is designed to access information about mental health topics, receive tools you can use, provides you with resources for all kinds of needs, and where you can access past issues of the Tiger's Mind. Suggestions are always welcome!

Tallassee City Schools

Mental Health Services Coordinator

Email: Jen.Bafford@tcschools.com
Location: 901 E B Payne Sr Dr, Tallassee, AL 36078
Call or Text: 334-415-4125
Facebook: facebook.com/MrsJenBafford

NEW page on TCS Website: https://www.tcschools.com/page/mental-health-wellness