Student wellbeing and mental health webinars in October 2026
Updated October 1, 2026 · 23 sessions
By October the honeymoon period of the school year is over, and the students who were going to struggle have started to show it — in attendance patterns, in nurse visits, in the referrals landing on counselors' desks. That makes this the month when wellbeing sessions stop being aspirational and start being immediately applicable. The webinars collected here are aimed at that reality.
The strongest sessions this month fall into two groups. The first is systems-level: MTSS tiers for mental health, screening and referral pathways, and how to staff a support model when you cannot hire your way out of the ratio problem. The second is classroom-level: what a teacher can actually do in period three when a student is dysregulated, without turning the lesson into a therapy session or the student into a spectacle.
Attendance deserves a special mention this month. Chronic absenteeism data from September is now available in most districts, and several October sessions tackle what to do with it — the outreach scripts, the family conversations, and the incentive structures that work better than the letter home. If your attendance numbers moved in the wrong direction this fall, start there.
There are 22 upcoming webinars in this roundup for K-12 educators as of October 1, 2026. 21 are free to everyone, and 5 offer a certificate or CE credit. The next one is "Social and Emotional Learning: Creating Supportive and Responsive Classrooms" from All In for Inclusive Ed on October 2, 2026.
Updated
The sessions
- 01Advanced Practices, Session 1: Ecological Context and Its Impact on Service Delivery
Thu, October 1, 2026 · 9:30 AM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Opening session of Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth's five-part Advanced Practices series for school-based behavioral health providers. Effective practice begins with a thorough understanding of the dynamic community context. Participants gather, analyze and organize information about their district and its schools, including demographics, resource availability, and ecological factors that influence student wellbeing and access to care. An optional follow-up discussion session is held on October 8.
Student Wellbeing - 02Social and Emotional Learning: Creating Supportive and Responsive Classrooms
Fri, October 2, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT · All In for Inclusive Ed · Free
Social and Emotional Learning, implemented across classrooms as part of a schoolwide framework, gives students opportunities to share perspectives, build trusting relationships, and strengthen skills through direct instruction and practice. Participants examine strategies for fostering a positive classroom environment, embedding social and emotional skill development into academic learning, and reflecting on culturally responsive approaches.
Student Wellbeing - 03Supporting Our Students: Mind, Body, Heart, and Soul, Session 1: Mental Health in the Classroom
Mon, October 5, 2026 · 9:30 AM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Opening session of Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth's five-part whole-child series. This session focuses on recognizing and responding to common student mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and stress. Participants explore how mental health affects learning and behavior and learn practical strategies for early identification and classroom support, with emphasis on creating psychologically safe environments and proactive tools for student wellbeing.
Student Wellbeing - 04From Avoidance to Resilience: Emotional Exposure Strategies for Schools (Part 1 of 5)
Mon, October 5, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Part of the free five-part Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth series From Avoidance to Resilience: Emotional Exposure Strategies for Schools, led by Alex Hirshberg, Psy.D. Participants learn to understand challenging behavior through the lens of emotion regulation, teach and promote emotion regulation skills in the classroom and counselor office, and create challenging yet manageable emotional exposures that give students planned opportunities to apply these skills.
Student Wellbeing - 05McKinney-Vento 201: Family Code, Truancy, Discipline & Resources
Wed, October 7, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · ESC Region 2 · Free
Advanced McKinney-Vento session covering the Texas Family Code, truancy, discipline procedures and community resources for students experiencing homelessness.
Student Wellbeing - 06What We Do and How We Do It: Trauma-Informed SEL, Session 1: Theoretical Frameworks
Wed, October 7, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Certificate / CESession 1 of the five-part Trauma-Informed SEL Across the School Community series from Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth. We know social-emotional learning is a good idea, but what does it mean, and how do we consistently, predictably, and comprehensively incorporate SEL into our school communities? This opening session explores the theoretical frameworks behind SEL as not just what we do, but how we do it. PDPs and CEUs are available to participants who attend all five sessions and pass the closing quiz.
Student Wellbeing - 07Restorative Practices: Practicing Caring Classroom Discipline Virtual Institute
Thu, October 8, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT · Corwin · $325
Restorative practices are an alternative to punitive approaches to classroom management. These practices humanize the schooling experience and allow individuals who cause harm to make amends. Restorative practices rely on strong relationships as well as clear systems and procedures to ensure that harm is addressed. The impact is increased equity for BIPOC students as well as a reduction in exclusionary practices such as suspension and expulsion. But as importantly, students change their behavior as they come to understand the impact that it has. Included resource: The Restorative Practices Playbook. Start time not published; listed as 9:00 AM PT (approximate).
Student Wellbeing - 08How to Get Kids to Open Up to You, Now and for Years to Come
Fri, October 9, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · Fairfax County Public Schools Family Resource Center · Free
FamiliesWhat should you do when your kids won't tell you what's going on in their lives? In this workshop, you'll learn specific strategies for getting your children to open up to you, so they choose to come to you when they want to celebrate success and when they need support.
Student Wellbeing - 09AXS Companion & Toolbox – Counsel Students Using Common App
Tue, October 13, 2026 · 11:00 AM EDT · American School Counselor Association (ASCA) · Free
Certificate / CEDiscover how to navigate AXS Companion to guide students through completing the Common App, with step-by-step guidance on the Activities, Education, and Courses and Grades sections, suggestions for supplemental essays, and ready-made lesson plans, slides and worksheets. Presenters: Marilyn O'Toole (AXS Companion) and Stacey Cunitz. ASCA webinars are free for ASCA members. Optional CEU/contact hour: $5 members, $10 nonmembers.
Student Wellbeing - 10There But Not Present: Rethinking Student Engagement
Tue, October 13, 2026 · 12:30 PM EDT · Education Week · Free
Learn to recognize early signs of disengagement and what behavioral science reveals about which interventions work.
Student Wellbeing - 11Consciously Construct a Positive Schoolwide Climate
Tue, October 13, 2026 · 7:00 PM EDT · Safe & Civil Schools · Free
A free Safe & Civil Schools webinar on intentionally building a positive, consistent schoolwide climate — practical steps leaders and teams can use to shape adult and student behavior across every setting.
Student Wellbeing - 12Advanced Practices, Session 2: School-Based Needs and Dynamic Community Partners
Thu, October 15, 2026 · 9:30 AM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Second session of the Advanced Practices series. Students with intensive behavioral health needs require coordination across school and community systems. This session helps professionals map the full spectrum of student needs to available supports, identify barriers to accessing services, and establish structured, role-clarified partnerships with community organizations and outside providers. An optional follow-up discussion session is held on October 22.
Student Wellbeing - 13Supporting Our Students: Mind, Body, Heart, and Soul, Session 2: Behavioral Health and Regulation
Mon, October 19, 2026 · 9:30 AM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Second session of the series. This session examines the connection between student behavior and underlying needs, reframing behavior as a form of communication. Participants learn to identify triggers, understand the stress response and apply real-time regulation strategies, with practical tools for co-regulation, movement and de-escalation to support students' physical and emotional regulation.
Student Wellbeing - 14From Avoidance to Resilience: Emotional Exposure Strategies for Schools (Part 2 of 5)
Mon, October 19, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Part of the free five-part Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth series From Avoidance to Resilience: Emotional Exposure Strategies for Schools, led by Alex Hirshberg, Psy.D. Participants learn to understand challenging behavior through the lens of emotion regulation, teach and promote emotion regulation skills in the classroom and counselor office, and create challenging yet manageable emotional exposures that give students planned opportunities to apply these skills.
Student Wellbeing - 15Preventing and Intervening with Chronic Absenteeism, K–12
Mon, October 19, 2026 · 7:00 PM EDT · Ancora Publishing · Free
An 18-hour Ancora Publishing virtual course on preventing and intervening with chronic absenteeism across K–12: six Monday sessions, October 19 – December 7, 2026, with strategies for attendance teams, administrators, and student support staff.
Student Wellbeing - 16Sponsored Webinar: Getting It Done: How School Counselors Can Help Boost FAFSA Completion Rates
Tue, October 20, 2026 · 1:00 PM EDT · American School Counselor Association (ASCA) · Free
Certificate / CEDid you know that in 2023, high school seniors left over $4 billion in Pell Grants unclaimed by not completing the FAFSA? Explore effective strategies to implement in your school counseling program: provide targeted support, organize outreach efforts and use best practices to ensure more students secure the financial aid they need for college. Presenters: Bill DeBaun (NCAN), Atua Emu (KIPP Atlanta Collegiate) and Sandra Gonzalez-Moore (Palo Duro High School, TX). ASCA webinars are free for ASCA members. Optional CEU/contact hour: $5 members, $10 nonmembers.
Student Wellbeing - 17Building Military-Friendly Schools: Beyond Purple Star
Tue, October 20, 2026 · 2:00 PM EDT · ESC Region 2 · Free
Practical steps for supporting military-connected students and families beyond Purple Star designation, including transitions, enrolment and campus culture.
Student Wellbeing - 18Fall 2026 Virtual Foster Care Consortium: From Compliance to Impact
Wed, October 21, 2026 · 10:00 AM EDT · ESC Region 2 · Free
Virtual consortium for foster care liaisons moving from compliance-focused practice to measurable impact for students in foster care.
Student Wellbeing - 19What We Do and How We Do It: Trauma-Informed SEL, Session 2: Emotional Regulation
Wed, October 21, 2026 · 12:00 PM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Certificate / CESession 2 of the five-part Trauma-Informed SEL Across the School Community series from Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth. This session focuses on emotional regulation and how trauma-informed practice shapes the way adults and students recognize and manage emotions across the school day. PDPs and CEUs are available to participants who attend all five sessions and pass the closing quiz.
Student Wellbeing - 20The Power of Play: Bring an Official Pokémon Club to Your School
Wed, October 21, 2026 · 3:00 PM EDT · ISTE+ASCD · Free
When student passion, play, and belonging drive learning, engagement follows. In this session, K-12 educators will discover how Pokémon Clubs can serve as high-impact afterschool programs that build community, foster social-emotional learning, and empower student leadership. See how clubs combine gameplay, creative activities, and peer-led experiences while remaining accessible to all learners. Participants will learn how to launch an official Pokémon Club as a new ISTE member benefit and access exclusive educator resources like the Pokémon Club Kit and Club Coordinator online community. Clubs are available to members in the U.S. and Canada.
Student Wellbeing - 21Transforming Behavior: Evidence-Based Social-Emotional Strategies for Schools (Series, Session 1)
Mon, October 26, 2026 · 9:30 AM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
This 5-part webinar series equips educators and school teams to transform student behavior through evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL) practices. Participants gain practical tools to identify the root causes of behavior, apply research-informed interventions, and proactively support students in developing self-regulation and coping skills. Through data-driven decision-making and consistent implementation, educators learn how to reduce challenging behaviors, increase student engagement, and foster long-term resilience.
Student Wellbeing - 22Support Students with Eating Disorders
Wed, October 28, 2026 · 2:00 PM EDT · American School Counselor Association (ASCA) · Free
Certificate / CELearn to build a safe, inclusive and body-affirming school culture that promotes whole student wellness. Understand eating disorders and access tools for early identification and intervention, communicating with families, and supporting students through diagnosis, treatment and recovery, drawing on the National Eating Disorders Association Educator and School Staff Toolkit. Presenter: Holly Neyer, Hart Integrated Wellness. ASCA webinars are free for ASCA members. Optional CEU/contact hour: $5 members, $10 nonmembers.
Student Wellbeing - 23Advanced Practices, Session 3: Building Collaboration with School Teams
Thu, October 29, 2026 · 9:30 AM EDT · Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth · Free
Third session of the Advanced Practices series. High-functioning school-based behavioral health teams depend on clear roles, shared leadership and strong collaborative norms. This session offers frameworks for effective team communication, data-driven decision-making, critical incident planning, and navigating the interpersonal challenges that arise in any team setting. An optional follow-up discussion session is held on November 5.
Student Wellbeing