What is the most important focus for a teacher during a mental health crisis?

Focusing on ensuring the safety of the child and other children is paramount during a mental health crisis. When a student is experiencing a crisis, their safety and the safety of others must be prioritized. This includes addressing any potential risks of self-harm or harm to others, creating a safe environment, and providing immediate emotional support as needed.

Once the immediate safety concerns are addressed, other considerations such as providing academic support, engaging parents for assistance, or documenting the incident can become part of the response. However, safety takes precedence in these situations. This priority aligns with best practices in mental health crisis intervention, where the first step must always be to secure a safe environment for all involved.