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For K-12 Schools

District-wide resilience for educators, students and professionals.

School counselors, educators, and district staff are often the first to notice a student who is struggling. Sharpen® gives them practical tools to build mental health literacy, start the right conversations, and connect students to support. No clinical license needed.

Start the conversation →
How Schools Implement

Three components.
Combine them your way.

Every school starts from a different place. Implement one component, pair two, or run all three as a connected system.

Component 01
Professional Development
Educators and school professionals can enhance confidence and competence in mental health literacy, suicide prevention, trauma and disordered eating prevention topics. Licensed professionals can earn CEs.
See details on Professional Development page
For educators & staff
Download program guide →
Component 02
Sharpen® MHL for High School Students
An evidence-based, 5 hour mental health literacy program built around more than 75 peer documentary films, delivered through strength-based modules students complete asynchronously.
For students, grades 9-12
Download program guide →
Component 03
Sharpen® Peer Resiliency (SPR)
A 4 week, trauma-informed near-peer mentoring program. Mentors complete Sharpen® MHL training, then lead the SPR curricula with younger students, building resilience on both sides of the relationship.
For mentors & mentees
Download program guide →
Inside Sharpen® MHL

What students
actually learn.

  • Humanistic mental health literacy
  • Stigma reduction
  • Suicide prevention
  • Disordered eating prevention
  • Strategies for finding support
  • 5 Minute Mindfulness™ techniques for personal resilience
Independently Featured

The high school Sharpen® MHL program is featured in the Mental Health Instruction Library, vetted through University of Washington SMART Center. The content was built in collaboration with over 25 researchers, using practices that require assessment, community listening, and stakeholder input.

75+
Peer documentary films
25+
Collaborating researchers
5 hrs
Asynchronous program
Sharpen® Peer Resiliency

Near-peer mentors trained to build resilience.

Through the Sharpen® system, trained mentors guide younger students through brief resiliency modules. Each week includes downloadable activity cards with an array of strength-based exercises.

Week 01
Understanding Mental Wellness
An overview of mental wellness, decreasing stigma, and understanding core mental health challenges.
Week 02
Understanding Mindfulness
Mindfulness training through 7 videos and interactive activities, plus strategies for managing stress.
Week 03
Body Image & Social Media Literacy
Disordered eating prevention, improving body esteem, and critical thinking skills for social media.
Week 04
Healthy Coping
Social emotional skills including goal setting, self-care, sleep hygiene, and suicide prevention through sources of strength.

Sharpen® Peer Resiliency has been implemented with fidelity in schools and community settings, from a 5 year high school mentoring program recognized at the ASTRA national conference to after-school resiliency training led by trained educators and students.

Documented Outcomes

What changes
when schools implement.

Increased help-seeking behavior
Decreased suicidal behavior
Improved identification of individuals at risk for suicide
Improved school climate and school connectedness
Improved SEL skills and attitudes
Reduced emotional distress
Advocacy for reducing stigma around mental and behavioral health
Improved academic performance
Improved teaching practices

Read all outcomes on the research page →

“
I have collaborated with the Sharpen® team since 2012 to bring mental health programs into our schools. I am Chief Academic Officer for Spartanburg County School District 7 in South Carolina and have seen firsthand the impact from training hundreds of educators and school professionals in my district on topics ranging from mental health literacy to suicide prevention to resilience. The leadership and collaboration with our district over the years has enhanced the mindfulness programs for students, the professional development programs for educators and clinical staff and the district mental health literacy.
Dr. Terry O. Pruitt
Chief Academic Officer · Spartanburg County School District 7
Customization available

Tell us about your school.
Let's strategize options!

Whether you're a counselor looking for tools to use on Monday or a district leader building something lasting, a short conversation is all it takes to map the right starting point.

Get started →Contact our team