A Call for a Common Lexicon in Student Mental Health and Wellness Work
Citation (APA 7th): Parker, A., Brown, B. L., Taousakis, M., Brown, N., & Waller, H. (2025). A call for a common lexicon in student mental health and wellness work. The Teacher Educators’ Journal, 18, 121-141. https://doi.org/10.66196/JPID9984
Audra Parker, Betsy Levine Brown, Marion Taousakis, Naomi Brown, Heather Waller
George Mason University
Abstract
An increasing number of PK-12 students need mental health support. While a broad group of professionals (e.g., teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, social workers, families) may be involved in school-based mental health and well-being work, not all are trained mental health experts well-versed in the nuances of implementing the resources provided. In this manuscript, we share three vignettes describing instances across our study of teacher preparedness for wellness work in which a lack of a common lexicon emerged as a barrier. By describing cross-disciplinary lexicon challenges, we highlight the need for a universal definition of and lexicon for building a robust mental health and well-being support system for students. Without a consistent way of communicating, educators face challenges with designing effective teacher induction and professional development for mental health and well-being work and difficulty in enacting wellness practices.
