Help Us Help New Mexico Families

Your school district is one of three in New Mexico piloting an innovative mental health program at no cost through an Education, Innovation, and Research (EIR) grant awarded to the Cook Center for Human Connection.

How You Can Help

As teachers working directly with students and families every day, you’re invited to be paid for your insight and experience for this research study pilot.

Your participation will be key to its success so we can improve mental health support for your schools, families, and communities.

Benefits for Teachers

  • Paid compensation for participation in PD and research surveys
  • Professional Development for your mental well-being and a deeper understanding of how to help New Mexico families
  • Ready access to mental health resources for you and to share with your families in need

Professional Development

  • 6 hours of in-person in July
  • 6 hours of virtual PD throughout the school year
  • 5 hours of research study feedback

PD Sessions Begin

  • July 23 – Silver City School District
  • July 24 – Truth or Consequences School District
  • July 25 – Pecos School District

Benefits for Families:

  • No-cost and barrier-free access to vetted resources developed by clinical professionals
  • Enhanced confidence in locating and utilizing essential mental health resources
  • Multiple avenues to ask questions and find answers how and when they prefer

EIR Grant Pilot Overview

Research shows that 80% of parents with a child struggling with a mental health problem turn to schools for support (Masonbrink & Hurley, 2020*).

The Cook Center for Human Connection partners with schools, districts, and organizations across the United States to bring mental health resources to communities. Our focus is strengthening human connection and providing avenues to mental health support.

Cook Center’s innovative Helping Helpers Help project supports students' mental health by providing resources to the communities closest to the students – parents, caregivers, and educators. This is accomplished through delivering access to ParentGuidance.org resources, live events, and training.

All Parents and District Staff receive access to a range of Evidence-Based resources through ParentGuidance.org:

  • Live Webinars in English & Spanish
  • On-Demand Virtual Courses
  • One-on-One Virtual Coaching
  • Ask a Therapist Live Q&As

Research will be conducted by a third party, and teachers in the pilot will be compensated for their participation in both research surveys and Professional Development, which will begin over the summer.

*Reference: Masonbrink, A. R., & Hurley, E. (2020, September 2020). Advocating for children during the COVID-19 school closures. Pediatrics, 146(3), https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-1440. Minkin, R., & Horowitz, J. (2023). Parenting in America today. Retrieved from Pew Research  Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/01/24/parenting-in-america today/

Sign up here to participate