Georgia Dept. of Education selects The Mediation Center to lead nine mental health awareness training courses, supporting educators statewide

The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire – Savannah, Ga.’s leading organization dedicated to helping citizens proactively manage conflict and creating a more conflict-resilient community – is pleased to announce the Georgia Department of Education recently selected The Mediation Center to serve as an official training partner as part of the statewide Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) for educators and support staff.

Representatives from any public school or public school system in Georgia can click HERE to register and to receive MHAT training at no cost.

The Mediation Center’s highly qualified staff are currently offering nine courses addressing a wide range of topics, from suicide prevention to conflict resolution, that have been approved for implementation in public school systems across the state of Georgia.

“Teachers serve as peacemakers for student-to-student conflict and provide vital support systems for youth as they experience some of life’s most challenging and emotional situations,” said The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire Executive Director Jill Cardenas. “We’re deeply honored to support educators statewide and to provide mental health awareness training that’s designed to improve the lives of teachers and students while uplifting communities across Georgia.”

Since 2018, the Georgia Department of Education has worked with a select network of training partners to offer state-funded Mental Health Awareness Training. The training, which is offered at no cost to all Georgia K-12 public schools, is designed to support the mental health awareness of educators and school staff at all levels of prevention and intervention. With a catalog of more than 40 courses, the MHAT covers general mental health awareness topics as well as bullying, conflict de-escalation, grief, trauma, resilience and stress management.

“Our mission is to help the helpers: the teachers who support students every single day,” said Vira Salzburn, Director of Impact at The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire. “Our training is designed to remind educators and school staff of their strengths, helping them recognize that they are not alone and that support is available. Participants leave feeling inspired, equipped with new skills and more prepared to meet the needs of their students as well as their own needs. We are deeply grateful to the Georgia Department of Education for trusting us with this important work.”

The expanded training opportunities come at a time when students in Georgia are experiencing a rise in mental health challenges, putting extra pressure on teachers across the state. The Georgia Department of Education’s 2023-2024 Georgia Student Health Survey revealed that more than 23% of 6th through 12th grade students statewide reported “always feel stressed.” In addition, nearly 10% of students seriously considered attempting suicide in the last year, with 20% of students being bullied or threatened by other students at least once in the last month.

The nine courses that are currently being led by The Mediation Center include:

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

This course creates a common language to understand suicide safety issues and provides guidance on how to apply suicide first-aid. Educators will learn the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and gain a deeper understanding of the ways personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide and interventions.

Community Resiliency Model (CRM)

Developed by the Trauma Resource Institute, this evidence-based training helps create “trauma-informed” and “resiliency-informed” individuals. Educators will learn the impact of trauma and chronic stress on the nervous system and how resiliency can be restored or increased using a skills-based approach.

Resilience Enhancement and Leadership Model (REALM)

This evidence-informed program supports skill-building in three realms of resilience: individual, interpersonal and organizational. Educators will learn how to build resilience through a variety of mind-body principles and self-leadership strategies that help reduce personal and collective stress and enhance quality of life.

safeTALK

This course develops suicide-alert people, or individuals who are better prepared to connect those with thoughts of suicide with life-affirming help. Educators will learn how to be alert to situations where suicidal thoughts may be present and how to apply the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep Safe.

School-Based Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness

This course covers how to add stress management skills to the school day through a trauma-informed lens. Educators will learn how to practice various scientifically proven breathing, mindfulness and reflection techniques to help bring calm and focus to the classroom.

Self-Compassion for Educators

This evidence and skills-based training dives into the research, practice and experience of self-compassion, which has a significant positive impact on educator well-being, resilience and stress management. Educators will develop the ability to motivate themselves with compassion rather than self-criticism and revitalize their deep motivation for helping others.

T.R.U.S.T.: Transforming Relationships Under Stress Through Trust

This course is designed to support trust-building practices in school communities by explaining the psychological and social factors of trust. Educators will learn how to cultivate meaningful connections by using a trust-based approach to education and leadership, resulting in reduced stress and improved mental health outcomes for the entire school community.

Turning Tension into Togetherness: Compassionate Approaches to Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation

Through role-playing activities and real-time scenarios, this course equips individuals with essential conflict-resolution skills. Educators will learn to define and recognize conflict and its emotional aspects, implement nonviolent communication techniques for compassionate dialogue and utilize de-escalation strategies.

Adults and Children Transforming Schools (ACTS)

This course uses evidence-based Trauma Drama curriculum, an immersive theater-based group intervention designed to integrate the core components of complex trauma intervention with children and youth. Educators will learn how to implement cooperative play activities and improvisational techniques to promote opportunities for student self-expression, cognitive flexibility, creative problem solving, conflict resolution and an enhanced sense of personal agency.

Of the 150 courses the Georgia Department of Education delivered to educators and staff in 2025, The Mediation Center’s “Turning Tension into Togetherness: Compassionate Approaches to Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation” and “Community Resiliency Model” courses were among the top five most popular classes statewide.

The Mediation Center’s staff is planning to lead a series of in-person training sessions with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System in February 2026.

To learn more or to sign up for future Mental Health Awareness Training courses, please click HERE or contact The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire’s Director of Impact Vira Salzburn at [email protected].