Wellness and mental health education is as important as any other part of the school system as it teaches students how to prioritize their holistic wellbeing by becoming curious and compassionate about their emotions. Today on Hope Pieced Together, we are joined by the incredible Head of The John Cooper School, Dr. Stephen Popp, and the school’s Director of Wellness, Dr. Diego Estrada, to discuss their systemic and evidence-based approach to educating student populations on mental wellbeing. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about our guests’  backgrounds, what their school’s mission is, why mental health is part of your overall well-being, and a breakdown of their systemic approach to educating their community on wellness and wellbeing. We delve into how they started the mental wellbeing conversations with their staff and  students before our guests discuss the importance of evidence-based education and how they navigate the complexities of society while trying to destigmatize mental health discussions. We  even talk about the multitude of projects they offer and skills they are fostering in their students when it comes to this subject, how parents can support their children through anxiety in their  academic environments, and why they want their students to become ‘emotional scientists’ not  ‘emotional judges’. Finally, they remind us that their mental well-being mission is an ongoing  process that needs constant evolution and work. You don’t want to miss this one, so be sure to listen now!

Key Points From This Episode: 

• Introducing today’s guests, Dr. Stephen Popp and Dr. Diego Estrada.
• Our guests tell us about their school's mission and how they carry it out. 
• Their systemic approach to educating the community on wellness and well-being. 
• Why mental health is part of your overall well-being and should be maintained consistently. 
• How they transitioned from educating their facility and staff to the students in their school. 
• The importance of evidence-based education when it comes to emotions. 
• How they navigate the challenges and complexities of the world while educating students. 
• Teaching students to be proactive and intellectually curious about their emotions. 
• Why their staff do not act as counselors and how they handle mental health challenges. 
• Their incredible collaborations and opportunities for their students on this topic. 
• How they are teaching their students invaluable skills. 
• What parents can do to help their children with academic anxiety. 
• The importance of becoming an ‘emotional scientist’ instead of an ‘emotional judge’.
• Why their mission is an ongoing process.
• The best and worst advice ever, the legacy they want to create, and one law they’d create.
• Our guests share some inspirational stories of hope that have driven them in their lives. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Dr. Stephen Popp on LinkedIn 

Dr. Diego Estrada on LinkedIn 

The John Cooper School 

Dr. Paulraj Samuel on LinkedIn 

Hope Pieced Together Podcast