4 Tips for Prioritizing Your Mental Health as a Special Education Provider
As a school mental health provider, you demonstrate a commitment each day to supporting students with empathy and care. However, it's far too common for providers to overlook their own well-being. The emotional demands, busy schedules, and systemic challenges of your role can put a significant strain on your mental health. At Huddle Up, we know that prioritizing your own mental health isn't just a choice; it's vital for maintaining your effectiveness and resilience.
Discover four practical tips below to help you prioritize your mental health while serving students.
1. Set Boundaries—And Honor Them
It's tempting to be endlessly available, especially when students and staff lean on you for support. But without clear boundaries, burnout creeps in quickly. Burnout is more than a buzzword—it's a growing reality. According to a 2023 survey from HomeCEU, over 70% of school-based speech-language pathologists experienced burnout at some point over the past year.
To help prevent burnout, be sure to establish dedicated office hours, limit after-hours emails, and allow yourself to say, “I’m not available right now, but I can check in tomorrow.” Boundaries protect both your time and your energy.
Pro tip: Use visual or digital reminders of your boundaries, like out-of-office messages or a sign on your door, to help others respect your time and space.
2. Prioritize Peer Support
You carry a lot, but it’s easier when you don’t have to carry it alone. Regular check-ins with your peers can be a lifeline: we encourage collaborating with other providers by sharing resources, venting in safe spaces, and reminding one another that you're not alone in this work.
Try this: Schedule a monthly peer consultation or reflective supervision session. These intentional spaces help you process challenges and celebrate wins.
All Huddle Up providers have a dedicated clinical manager to help with questions regarding their caseload. Additionally, our providers are part of a collaborative network of over 200 peers, where they can collaborate and learn new tips on the best ways to support their students and themselves. Lidiette Hamilton, one of our Clinical Managers with over 10 years of experience, emphasizes how support continues to make a difference in the care providers give:
“A provider recently reached out with a question about evaluating one of their students. We walked through different options for a language evaluation, and by the end of our conversation, they felt confident and ready to present their recommendations to the IEP team. It was a reminder of how meaningful ongoing clinical support can be—not just in solving problems, but in supporting providers’ mental health. When providers know they’re not alone, that someone has their back, it reduces stress, builds confidence, and ultimately leads to more compassionate, effective care.”
Consistent support isn't just nice to have – it's essential for the well-being of both providers and the students they serve.
3. Create Micro-Moments of Care
Even if you don’t have time for a long walk or full yoga session during the school day, just two minutes of intentional breathing, stretching, or stepping outside can make a difference. Start by building in small, manageable wellness practices into your day.
Examples:
- Deep breathing between sessions
- A mindful sip of tea during paperwork
- Stepping outside during lunch (even just to feel the sun)
- Setting an alarm to take a break from your screen
4. Invest in Ongoing Self-Reflection
Mental health work can be emotionally complex. Regular self-reflection, whether through journaling, therapy, or professional development, helps you stay grounded and connected to your "why." Make time to reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and what you need.
Reflection prompt: What would you tell a student who felt like they were “failing” at self-care? Now tell that to yourself.
After reflection, be sure to implement any necessary changes that will make your day-to-day feel lighter and more fulfilled. Remember, you are the best provider when you are in a clear space to show up for your students and yourself.
Final Thoughts
Your well-being is not separate from your work—it is the foundation of it. When you prioritize your mental health, you serve your students with greater presence, patience, and compassion. And most importantly, you give yourself the same care you so freely offer to others.
Here at Huddle Up, we help our providers by equipping them with the support they need – from dedicated clinical managers to a proprietary technology platform that streamlines tedious administrative tasks. Additionally, our providers are W2 employees, ensuring our care team receives the benefits needed not only to take care of themselves, but also their families.
If you’re looking for a new role where you can focus on a healthier self while also making a long-lasting impact in the lives of students, consider visiting our job board for a position with Huddle Up!