ACSA is launching a month-long live broadcast series focused on mental health. The “Your Mind First” series will center around engaging conversations with educators, policy leaders and industry experts on how to cope with challenges and find solutions to the school mental health crisis.

Featured guests include California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and ACSA President Erin Simon. Episodes will focus on destigmatizing mental health, educator burnout, suicide prevention and legislation, while providing relevant resources for administrators. It will also include live Q&As with guests while also serving as an opportunity to share personal stories.

“It’s OK to not be OK,” said ACSA Executive Director Edgar Zazueta. “You ask any room of education leaders and everybody’s having their struggles right now. But they’re not always expressed. ACSA is devoted to providing resources and trying to help take away some of the stigma. And to let people know that it’s OK to go seek support.”

The series kicks off at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, and will run every Tuesday through Aug. 30. The first episode will feature Simon, Buck Roggeman and Gayle Garbolino Mojica.

The live episodes will be available to watch through ACSA’s social media channels YouTube (youtube.com/acsaorg) and Facebook (facebook.com/acsafans), and recordings will be accessible on the ACSA Resource Hub, content.acsa.org/your-mind-first.

How do you take care of yourself while also taking care of everyone else at your school site?

ACSA wants to hear from members about how they protect their mental health. Share your tips for work/life balance, coping strategies, self-care and seeking help by visiting bit.ly/YourMindFirstShare and filling out the form with your name, title and advice.

Your comments may be used in an upcoming article to help other administrators looking for strategies for promoting good mental health while leading schools.