Alumni Webinar Series | Addressing the Unique Mental Health Needs of Educators

Friday, December 12, 2025, 12:00 PM–2:00 PM ET

Online via Zoom

Note: This course is available for free to U-M SSW alumni as part of our Alumni Webinar Series, which features invited alumni speakers. Please know that non-alumni participants are welcome to register as well!

Continuing Education Offered

• 2 hours regular live interactive online

Description

As educators contend with increasing pressures and demands, they are ever more vulnerable to mental health challenges. The bulk of resources in the education system are funneled towards students, often ignoring the importance of teacher mental health. This course is designed to bring attention to the unique experiences and mental health needs of the educators. The participants will learn common stressors facing teachers and specific mental health risks. This course will also provide a brief introduction to evidence-based treatment recommendations at the interpersonal level. The course will conclude with a case study and group discussion, offering opportunity to apply knowledge.

Objectives

1. Identify and describe seven common stressors affecting teacher mental health and illustrate how these stressors create unique mental health risks for teachers.
2. Define four specific mental health risks for educators and identify appropriate interventions to address these risks.

Agenda

• 12:00pm–12:15pm Introduction: Educational Landscape
• 12:15pm–1:00pm Common Stressors Specific to Teachers
• 1:00pm–1:15pm Unique Mental Health Risks
• 1:15pm–1:30pm Common Diagnoses and Interventions
• 1:30pm–2:00pm Case Study and Group Discussion/Breakout

Instructors

Manjula Egan, LMSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist with a background in schools, community mental health agencies, and private practice, serving individuals from diverse cultures and communities. Manjula is the owner of Blue Pearl Wellness, PLLC, a clinical practice dedicated to supporting individuals navigating life’s challenges with focus on anxiety, trauma, relational dynamics and life transitions. She is passionate about integrative and holistic approaches to well-being, combining traditional psychotherapy with body-based and mindfulness practices. Deeply committed to equity in mental health care, Manjula is passionate about working with people of color and others from marginalized communities, addressing the unique challenges they face in accessing quality, respectful and appropriate care in our mental health systems and creating a space of safety, inclusion, and empowerment. She is EMDR-certified, IFS-informed, and currently in extensive training as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, reflecting her commitment to providing trauma-informed, innovative care tailored to each client’s unique needs. Manjula graduated from the University of Michigan, with a Bachelor in Psychology and Master in Social Work and is committed to lifelong learning. 

Sharon M. Yaecker Roesser, LMSW, is a licensed social worker, psychotherapist, and educational leader with over 20 years of experience supporting adults, children, adolescents, families, and professionals. She is the owner of Hello Daylight Mental Health Services, PLLC, providing evidence-based therapy, currently with a focus on addressing anxiety regardless of its form or source. In some of her other various roles, Sharon has served as a founding school principal, classroom teacher, school social worker, and MSW field instructor, providing mentorship and designing programs to promote mental health and academic success. She is EMDR-certified, passionate about family and community well-being, and dedicated to advancing educational equity, social justice, and trauma-informed care. Sharon graduated from the University of Michigan School of Social Work with her MSW in 2008, her Masters in Teaching from Pace University in 2003, and her Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University in 2001.

CE Approval Statement

The University of Michigan School of Social Work, provider #1212, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The University of Michigan School of Social Work maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 5/15/2023-5/15/2026.

Social workers participating in this course will receive 2 general continuing education contact hours.

Please see the CE Policies page for more information about continuing education.