Supporting Learner Mental Health at Christel House: Nurturing the Whole Child

At Christel House, we believe that education is not just about imparting knowledge but about nurturing the whole child. Our approach recognizes that children are influenced by the complex systems around them—family, community, and society. Unfortunately, when those systems are broken, learning becomes a much more difficult task. That’s why our model places a strong emphasis on supporting learner mental health as a key component of effective education.

Poverty’s Deep Connection to Childhood Trauma

A harsh reality we face is that poverty often leads to trauma. Our students are frequently exposed to societal ills such as hunger, violence, instability, and neglect. These issues are not just abstract problems—they are lived experiences for many of the children we serve. It’s often said, “You can’t teach a hungry child,” but the same holds true for a child who is scared, anxious, depressed, or traumatized.

When children experience trauma, their ability to focus, learn, and engage in the classroom is severely compromised. At Christel House, we understand that addressing these challenges is essential to our students’ success. We know that in order to learn, children need to feel safe, supported, and mentally healthy.

Christel House’s Role in Protecting Students

One of the core practices at Christel House is to act as a buffer between the societal challenges our students face and their ability to learn. We create an environment where students can escape the pressures of their external worlds and focus on their education. But this is not done solely through academic instruction—mental health support is a vital part of our work.

Supporting learner mental health is crucial to ensuring that our students can sit in classrooms and truly engage with their education. This is why we have built a robust system of support through our Health and Social Services Departments.

In It’s first 25 years, Christel House has served over 20,000 students experiencing poverty in India, Jamaica, Mexico, South Africa, and the U.S.

Christel House Empowers Students Through Mental Health Support

At Christel House, our students have access to a wide range of resources aimed at supporting, developing, and improving their mental health. Our counselors provide individual, group, and classroom interventions tailored to the specific needs of our students. These interventions are designed to help students process their emotions, cope with trauma, and develop resilience.

We provide strong support to our students from early childhood all the way through high school graduation and continue to guide them during their post-secondary education and career launch through our five-year College & Careers program.

Christel House College & Careers focuses on student abilities and interests, matching them to fülfilling careers with economic mobility.

Power of Holistic Education in Student Development

At Christel House, we believe that education is about more than just academics—it’s about developing the heart, head, and hands. By focusing on mental health, we are helping to create a stable foundation for our students to thrive not just in school, but in life.

Angel’s life changed after joining Christel House in 2004. Overcoming financial hardships that forced a school dropout, Angel thrived in the supportive environment of Christel House, which provided essential resources like education, healthcare, and scholarships. The experience, including an enriching leadership camp in the US, helped Angel develop vital life skills and a resilient mindset. After completing a degree in psychology, Angel returned to Christel House as a school counselor, dedicated to supporting the mental health and growth of current students, inspired by the transformative journey that began within those walls.

Christel House Transforms Lives and shaping futures

Christel House graduates share how the program has been a cornerstone of their lives. From childhood to university and beyond, Christel House has provided unwavering support, focusing on mental, emotional, and academic growth. With a unique five-year follow-up program, Christel House offers unparalleled guidance in career planning, university applications, and life skills.

At Christel House, we are proud of the impact our holistic model has on the lives of our students. By addressing mental health as a core part of our educational framework, we are creating a safe and supportive environment where learning can flourish. We believe that by nurturing the whole child—heart, head, and hands—we are not only helping our students succeed academically but also preparing them to navigate the complexities of life beyond the classroom.