Teacher takes online course to build capacity related to the mental health of students.
At The Ohio State University’s Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE), a team of education specialists, instructional designers and mental health experts are building something transformative: a set of online learning experiences designed to support Ohio educators in understanding and responding to the student mental health crisis.
Translating research into practice
Backed by $661,500 in federal funding from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, CETE is leading the development of six online learning units, comprising 18 learning modules, designed to increase mental health literacy.
Capacity building efforts will target high-need local educational agencies to support comprehensive, evidence-based programs and activities related to mental health and well-being for early learners, school-age children and youth, educators and other school personnel.
The project is a collaboration between CETE and faculty members from the College of Education and Human Ecology including Tanya Middleton, assistant professor in Counselor Education, and Brett Zyromski, associate professor and program chair of Counselor Education.
Together with Gabrielle Johnson, principal investigator, along with Hadley Bachman, Barbara Boone, David Julian, Abena Anyidoho, Melissa Ross, Traci Lepicki and Adrienne Boggs, the CETE team is collaborating with The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the college’s faculty to develop this research-informed, accessible learning experiences that addresses one of the most urgent issues in education today.
“Mental health literacy in schools is the first link in a chain that connects education, healthcare, and community systems toward a healthier future,” Johnson said. “Every teacher, administrator or school staff member who commits to addressing mental health at the school level is strengthening the entire system, working to improve well-being across our state and our nation.”
“We hope these online learning experiences will empower them with the tools and resources to identify needs, reduce stigma and create communities of care for the children and families they serve as well as one another.”
Why mental health literacy matters
Recent data compiled in August 2025 from the Ohio Healthy Youth Environments Survey and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey showed that students across the state are experiencing persistent mental health challenges, especially anxiety, depression and feelings of hopelessness.
These issues are closely tied to chronic absenteeism from school, which affected roughly 25% of Ohio K–12 students in the 2024–25 school year.
“Many national organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, have highlighted the negative personal and societal impacts of the current national youth mental health crisis,” Zyromski said.
“Suicidal thoughts are increasing for high school students, especially those from marginalized populations, and many students experience high levels of anxiety and depression, which impacts their ability to be successful in school.”
Zyromski said scholars have pointed out that educational settings are often the environment in which students receive mental health support from school counselors, school psychologists, clinical mental health counselors and other mental health supports.
As a result, mental health literacy is vital for our PK-12 educators to support student success and wellness through creating positive cultures in the classroom and building and through creating a network of mental health support that bolsters the wellness of all students.
Topics for impact
Each online learning unit is grounded in evidence-based practices and designed with input from educators, counselors and community partners.
"Effective professional development is about more than just awareness; it is about translation,” Bachman said. “We are prioritizing adult learning principles in the design of these modules to ensure that educators can immediately translate complex mental health concepts into practical, daily interactions that support their students.”
“By grounding this project in adult learning, we moved beyond theory to provide actionable strategies. Our goal is to build the confidence and competence that educators need to face the challenges they encounter every day."
Together, the online learning experiences provide a comprehensive foundation that covers:
- school-based mental health
- prevention and school climate
- relationship-building
- digital media
- substance use
- the sustainability of mental health partnerships.
Overall, they equipping educators with the confidence and competence to support student well-being.
A systems-level approach
CETE’s program areas, Excellence in Engagement and Evaluation, Family Engagement and Curriculum and Training, are bringing the expertise of their award-winning instructional designers and translational researchers to this initiative. The goal is to create scalable, sustainable and effective professional learning that supports both educator well-being and student success.
“Educators, administrators and staff are critical components to optimal student development; learning about mental health is the core of supportive structures and the key to transforming lives,” Middleton said. “These modules can increase insight while empowering those in direct contact with students through increased awareness and advocacy that can instill hope and likelihood of successful outcomes for students, families and communities.”
Looking ahead
Beginning in 2026, the online learning units will be released in phases and made available to local education agencies statewide through the Ohio department. This collaboration highlights CETE’s deep expertise in instructional design, reflected in its expanding online learning catalogue, which already includes several award-winning modules.
In the coming year, CETE plans to continue growing this cataloguer to advance professional development opportunities for nontraditional learners who may not have the time or resources to pursue formal degree pathways.
Together, these efforts reinforce CETE’s commitment to translational research and systems-level solutions that create meaningful, real-world impact.
