I have been thinking about this idea for a while now… finally deciding that I will have a “Dear Abby” box in my classroom. This will be a place where students can write out concerns they have about me, a fellow classmate, home, their work, etc. It will be written anonymously, and about “friends”, so that there is no name calling or any such nonsense. It will be a way for my students to ask for help in a way that is not embarrassing to them or trigger inducing; as coming to a teacher or friend can be traumatic or embarrassing to some students.
I think it could be really beneficial if I read out a couple of the class related or mental illness related “Dear Abby’s” to the class, and we could work on “my friends’” problem they seem to be having, together. This way the student who wrote it gets some advice and the other students who feel the same way but did not write one gain guidance as well. It would also promote awareness, positivity, care and collaboration within the community of my classroom.
