School teachers and principals play a crucial role in supporting children with mental health disorders by creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Recognizing children’s inability to access the curriculum in the absence of learning disabilities may be an initial sign. Regular interpersonal conflicts may indicate the child is having difficulty negotiating their environment and managing and coping with emotions. Oftentimes, the inability to regulate leads to unwanted behaviors that may breach interpersonal relationships, causing harm. These symptoms may be manifestations anxiety, depression, trauma-based disorders, and substance use disorders.
Generally, our culture dictates our responses to be punitive in nature and not restorative when addressing behavioral concerns. Restorative Justice approaches create trauma-informed interventions that help to hold students who have violated a relationship accountable while creating a pathway for them to make things right again:
Facilitate Restorative Circles: Arrange a meeting involving the students in conflict, peers, and possibly a mediator. In a safe and structured setting, each participant takes turns expressing their perspective and feelings about the conflict. This process helps build empathy, understanding, and mutual respect, aiming to restore relationships and community harmony.
Use Restorative Questioning: Engage the students involved in the conflict with open-ended, non-judgmental questions to help them reflect on their actions and their impact. Questions like "What happened?", "How did it affect you and others?", and "What can be done to make things right?" guide students towards acknowledging responsibility and developing constructive solutions collaboratively.
Develop Repair Agreements: Work with the students to create a written agreement that outlines specific actions they will take to repair the harm caused by the conflict. This might include apologies, community service, or other reparative actions agreed upon by all parties involved. Regular follow-ups ensure accountability and support the students in adhering to their commitments, reinforcing positive behavior changes and reconciliation.
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