Rewriting the Lesson Plan: A Global Curriculum for Mental Health Across School and University Communities

Around the world, schools and universities have deployed more mental health resources than ever, yet student well-being continues to decline across countries and cultures. The problem isn’t effort; it’s the foundational lessons and messages we are building these resources off of. Most systems treat mental health as something that happens to some students, addressed only after a diagnosis or crisis. This session offers the foundation for a new “curriculum of understanding” where entire education communities talk about mental health, built on the truth that everyone, in every culture, is somewhere on the mental health continuum every day. Educators, administrators, researchers, and international partners will explore how a shared, upstream approach that includes students, faculty, staff, and families can strengthen global learning communities and prepare a healthier, more connected generation for the future workforce.