Educator Blog

As higher education leaders prepare for students to return to campus this fall, the spotlight continues to shine on mental health awareness. Here are 6 ways higher education leaders can effectively address students’ emotional well-being.

Students are about to return to the classroom. Here’s a look at how schools and districts across the country are supporting student mental and emotional health this fall.

Recently, we held a webinar to discuss how effective communication skills support students’ college experience. Read for highlights and find where to watch the full recording if you missed it.

Prior to the first semester, it’s vital that faculty, staff, orientation leaders, and directors build a connection with incoming students to create a foundation for success. Here are some tools and tips on how to ensure incoming students can successfully transition to college life.

We recently held a webinar with a panel of experts discussing mental health and the lifelong communication skills that educators and students need in order to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Continue reading for highlights and find where to watch the full webinar.

It’s that time of year again! Students are out for summer vacation. Here are some ways parents and caregivers can help their children during summer break to keep their mental health on track and get them ready to transition back to school in the fall.

Kognito Campus 2.0 is here! Hear from Merideth Tumasz, Product Manager for Platforms, to learn more about Kognito’s implementation offerings, new Learning Management System (LMS), and the benefits this will provide clients.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) plays an important role when it comes to discussing mental health or positive decision-making with children, teens, and adults. Use the acronym OARS to remember the 4 steps of MI.

School districts, colleges, and universities can make a meaningful difference in supporting students and prevention bias. In this blog, find 5 ways educators and faculty can support LGBTQ+ students.

Dr. Julie Allison, Professor and Director of the Office of Violence Response and Prevention at Pittsburg State University, sheds light on the warning signs of dating violence and abusive personalities, the importance of an educator’s role in identifying abusive relationships, and advice and resources for teen victims.

Kognito is proud to look back on all we have accomplished and the impact our products have had on students’ and educators’ lives over the past 20 years. Learn more about Kognito’s story and check out our 20-year timeline in this blog post.

For 20 years, Kognito has assisted dozens of schools and districts in navigating the funding process and understanding how our products align to local and federal grants. Read for highlights of our 2023 PK-12 Funding Guide and find where to download the full guide.

We’ve curated a series of compelling interviews from experienced product collaborators and subject matter experts to present trends, data, and perspectives on current topics in higher education. Read for highlights of our Higher Education Expert Series and where to download the full PDF.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn what these districts and colleges are proactively doing to support student and faculty mental health.

We recently launched our PK-12 Expert Series, a series of interviews from subject matter experts about current trends in education as well as diverse perspectives on topics impacting elementary, middle, and high schools. Read for highlights and to download the full series.

Teaching bystander skills is important, but it’s essential to give students the opportunity to practice these skills. Read to learn more about how practicing the three Ds of bystander intervention increases students’ confidence in real-life situations.

Recently, Kognito exhibited at the 2023 NASPA Annual Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Read for highlights of this year’s conference!

For 20 years, Kognito has assisted dozens of colleges and universities in understanding how our products align to local and federal grants. Read this blog for highlights from our 2023 Higher Education Funding Guide and find out where to download the full guide.

Jeff McCoy, Associate Superintendent for Academics at Greenville County Schools and subject matter expert in the development of our product “Teaching Resiliency & Growth for Educators” shares his expertise about the importance of providing educators with the tools and knowledge to help students navigate stress, uncertainty, adversity, and trauma.

In our most recent webinar, we reviewed recent efficacy data, discussed strategies for reducing alcohol misuse on campus, and presented a brief demo of our training for students entitled “Alcohol & Other Drugs.” Read for highlights of the webinar and where to find the full recording.

Teen dating violence has become a growing epidemic that affects millions of youths in the United States. Learn more about our new training that gives educators the knowledge and skills to identify the different forms of dating violence and gain the confidence to have a trauma-informed disclosure conversation with a student.

This year’s campaign theme for International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity. The Kognito team is passionate about this theme and started a conversation around embracing equity and why gender equity creates a gender equal world. Read to see what we had to say.

We recently spoke with Kerri Geesey, third-grade teacher at Wallenpaupack Area School District and subject matter expert in the development of Friend2Friend: Bullying Prevention. Read for insights on bullying prevention in today’s academic and social environment.

We recently held a webinar exploring the topic of teen dating violence and the role educators play in understanding and identifying relationship abuse. Read for highlights and where to find the full webinar recording.

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 students reported being bullied on school property. Learn more about our new product for students, Friend2Friend: Bullying Prevention, and how it helps to build safe and inclusive school climates.

We’re excited to announce the release of a new training program joining our products for students, Friend2Friend: Resiliency & Growth. Learn more about this simulation and the importance for learning these skills to set the foundation for improved outcomes both academically and socially.

With the release of our product Protecting Our Youth, we’ve had many discussions with professionals on the importance of training that teaches skills in identifying, preventing, and reporting child abuse, neglect and trafficking. Check out this interview with youth protection advocate and subject matter expert Carissa Coons for more insight.

Higher education leaders: Discover 6 tips to improve mental health on campus, and learn about an engaging way to support student well-being through our Mental Health Suite.

Many students will spend long hours studying, and some will turn to prescription drugs to help. Here’s a look at the current state of prescription drug misuse on campuses and what educators and higher education leaders can do to combat the growing issue.

Learn more about our new product Teaching Resiliency & Growth for Educators and how it can help students in and out of the classroom to identify and manage their goals, setbacks, and successes.

Learn more about how Alief Independent School District adopted several Kognito simulations to improve the mental health and wellness of their educators and students.

Read for insights from our conversation with Sharon Stevens on how educators, parents/caregivers, and students can address and prevent bullying on and off school grounds.

Learn more about our newly released professional development training on identifying, preventing, and reporting child abuse, neglect, and trafficking.

As we reflect on this Veterans Day, we must consider and appreciate the challenges faced by veterans, student veterans, and military-connected youth. In this blog, we’ve outlined our products for faculty and students that improve military cultural competency.

In this interview, subject matter expert Dr. Troy Seppelt sheds light on the importance of sexual misconduct training for higher education faculty and staff and his contributions and thoughts about our new prevention program.

October is Bullying Prevention Month, serving as a reminder that we all play an important role supporting students who may be experiencing bullying. Here are 5 bullying prevention strategies districts and schools can implement to address the widespread issue.

In 2021, Fort Worth ISD adopted several Kognito products to provide professional development training opportunities for educators to better equip them to support the needs of students. Read here for highlights of what we found.

Read for highlights of our latest webinar discussing our compliance-based Sexual Misconduct Prevention Suite for faculty, staff and students.

Read here for some highlights from our latest webinar about student athletes and mental health and find out where to watch the full webinar.

There are many steps an individual can take to help combat the stigma around mental health conditions and suicide. In this infographic, we’ve outlined 8 ways you can help destigmatize the conversation around suicide prevention.

Learn why self-care is beneficial for both teachers and their students, and discover 7 actionable self-care strategies for teachers to prevent and reverse burnout.

Learn more about Bloodborne Pathogens, our new online OSHA-compliant training program in bloodborne pathogen education.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Read for more vital resources and information to raise awareness for suicide prevention.

Coming Soon: Kognito’s new training solution, Sexual Misconduct Prevention for Faculty & Staff, rethinks traditional training and helps institutions meet legal requirements while keeping learners engaged.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has been updated to a three-digit number, 988. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

From PK-12 through higher education, Kognito provides dynamic, experiential learning proven to change student lives. Continue reading to learn more about Kognito and how our approach to learning has greatly impacted PK-12 schools and higher education institutions.

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month. Continue reading for more information on BIPOC mental health and how Kognito helps faculty gain the awareness, knowledge, and skills to engage across differences with integrity and empathy through our program Cultivating Inclusive Communities.

Kognito’s Violence Prevention Suite takes a unique and comprehensive approach to addressing school violence. Keep reading to learn why violence prevention isn’t just a teacher’s role, and explore our suite of online simulations that bring the entire school community in alignment to help combat school violence.

Pride Month is an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop a deeper understanding of how to support members of LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more about our simulation Step In, Speak Up!

We recently exhibited at the ACHA 2022 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. Here’s a brief summary of the annual meeting and our key takeaways.

Motivational interviewing is a new technique gaining popularity as an effective communication strategy. Here is an overview of motivational interviewing — what it is, how it’s done, and why it’s an important skill for parents, caregivers, teachers, or anyone who wants to have more meaningful conversations that ignite behavior change.

In light of Pride Month, here’s a look at why supporting LGBTQ+ students is so important, the role of schools and educators, and how educational leaders can train faculty and staff to better support students.

The pandemic has amplified mental health challenges and higher education institutions like the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign have seen a need to support student well-being now more than ever. Here is an overview of how this top-rated university successfully leveraged our At-Risk products to support student mental health.

Promoting inclusivity in higher education requires a review of culture, policies, and curriculum. Here are six strategies to consider in your efforts to create a more inclusive learning environment on your campus.

New data from the CDC finds that high school students with close school relationships or virtual connections were less likely to report mental health concerns. Shashank V. Joshi, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Education at Stanford University shares why teens need connection.

Schools and school communities play a vital role in supporting children’s mental health, from prevention to intervention. We recently interviewed Dr. Shashank V. Joshi, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Education at Stanford University, who spoke with us about the role of schools in supporting mental health.

Today’s students from Pre-K to college are facing unprecedented mental health challenges. Warning signs vary slightly by age group. Here are some risk factors to be aware of, as well as warning signs of distress in young children, teens, college students, and virtual students.

We interviewed Dr. Laura Holt, a Charles A. Dana Research Associate Professor of Psychology at Trinity College about her research on prescription drug use and misuse on college campuses and how it helped Kognito with the development of the Prescription Drugs simulation. Here are highlights of Dr. Holt’s research and the increasing need to bring awareness to prescription drug misuse on college campuses.

We interviewed Dr. Laura Holt, a Charles A. Dana Research Associate Professor of Psychology at Trinity College about her research on prescription drug use and misuse on college campuses and how it helped Kognito with the development of the Prescription Drugs simulation. Here are highlights of Dr. Holt’s research and the increasing need to bring awareness to prescription drug misuse on college campuses.

Many educators know that a growth mindset is important in the academic world, but it’s also important for diversity and inclusion efforts. Here’s why it’s important, and how campuses can work to foster a growth mindset culture that helps students feel more supported.

We recently exhibited at the 2022 NASPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Here is a summary of the key speakers and panelists that shared best practices, efficiencies, and innovations in Higher Education as well as Kognito clients we were able to connect with.

OVW funding has enabled campuses across the country to leverage Kognito’s digital practice-based experiential learning to address sexual misconduct prevention, bystander intervention, and informed consent. Learn more about the OVW 2022 grants and how they can be used to fund Kognito’s Sexual Misconduct Prevention program.

A variety of federal and local funding can help districts bring the power of Kognito’s experiential learning to their schools. Here is an overview of our Funding Guide where we share specific funding sources that can be used for Kognito’s PK-12 simulations.

International Women’s Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the social, political, cultural, and historical achievements of women. We asked the Kognito team to share how and why they strive to break the bias and support the movement of creating a completely equal society. Here is what they had to say.

Using the right gender pronouns is important to fostering an inclusive, respectful relationship or community. Rosalie M. Rodriguez, Senior Associate Dean of Students for Equity & Inclusion, Director of the Butler Center, Colorado College, and a member of the Kognito Advisory Group for Inclusion and Belonging spoke with us about the importance of gender pronouns to inform this post.

Our new suite, Mental Health & Well-being, takes a whole child approach to building awareness, knowledge, and skills around emotional and mental wellness, including scenarios where adolescents learn to identify signs of  trauma or distress. Learn more about this suite uniquely designed for educators, students and parents/caregivers.

We recently had an illuminating session with a few of our key clients to spotlight their Kognito success stories and how they are leveraging virtual simulation to change lives. Here’s a brief summary of what we heard about why they chose Kognito, what they’ve achieved, and factors that have contributed to their success.

Kognito’s Jennifer Spiegler, SVP of Strategic Partnerships, was joined by Janet Pozmantier, a behavioral health consultant, in a recent episode of the ‘Cultivating Resilience’ podcast series. Here are a few key topics discussed in the episode.

Kognito’s newest online experiential learning simulation, Prescription Drugs, aims to help campuses inform students and equip them with skills to help them better navigate challenging conversations about prescription drugs. Learn more about Kognito’s Prescription Drugs simulation.

We recently exhibited at the 2022 NASPA Strategies conference in Boston, and heard from leaders in higher education as well as healthcare about a variety of comprehensive and integrative approaches to addressing alcohol and drug abuse prevention, mental health, and sexual violence prevention. Here is a summary of our key takeaways.

Kognito’s Darren Jones had the unique opportunity to engage in a panel discussion led by Alison Griffin and Hillary Knudson from Whiteboard Advisors along with featured guests Colorado state Governor Jared Polis and Levi Erickson from the Denver Public Schools in which they discussed strategies for creating safer schools. Here are some highlights from the discussion.

Empathy and empathic accuracy are both key techniques included in our approach, but there’s often confusion around these two terms. Learn more about empathy vs empathic accuracy — what these terms mean, why they are different, and why they are both important in our conversation platform.

Kognito founder and head of research Dr. Glenn Albright, along with Kim Wieland, head of product, education, were featured guests on the “Getting Unstuck: Educators Leading Change” podcast. Here are a few key topics discussed in the episode.

Learn more about the US Surgeon General Advisory about youth mental health & how Kognito’s evidence-based simulations supports those efforts.

Learn how UNCW incorporates online simulation into its social work curriculum in this featured interview with Noell Rowan, PhD, an associate professor and the director of the BSW program at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) School of Social Work.

Virtual humans are an alternative to live role-plays with instructors, peers, or paid actors. Here are 7 ways virtual humans can provide a superior learning experience.

Kognito’s new DEI online learning experience for higher education leaders fosters a safe, supportive, respectful, and welcoming culture to promote overall student wellness and success.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign helps students and faculty members support students in distress through its partnership with Kognito. Here’s a look at recent findings that reveal the positive impact the power of simulation is having on the campus community.

Texas Woman’s University uses online role-play conversations with virtual patients to practice using evidence-based SBIRT techniques when addressing adolescent substance use. Assistant professor Adaorah Azotam shares her experience.

Teachers play an important role in nurturing a safe and supportive learning environment. Here are three ways they can address bullying, which are all covered in our “Building Respect” simulation.

Explore how Southern University used virtual role-play conversations to prepare social work students to screen adolescent patients for substance use risks.

DO students at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine practiced using evidence-based communication techniques with virtual patients in a safe, online setting to prepare them for their high-pressure assessment with standardized patients.

The U.S. Department of Education launched a Return to School Roadmap and a corresponding report that outlines strategies for addressing the impact of lost instructional time and provides recommendations for engaging with students, parents, and caregivers, with a focus on social, emotional, and mental health needs. Here is an outline of the key components of a holistic approach to supporting student social, emotional, and mental health.

Kognito’s new bundle of interactive learning experiences are designed to boost parent and community engagement and help effectively lead conversations around challenging topics.

We surveyed nearly 12,000 educators about dealing with grief and loss in the school community. Here’s what we discovered.

The most effective suicide prevention takes place upstream — at home and in the classroom.

Higher education institutions receiving HEERF III funding have an opportunity to invest in mental health gatekeeper training to support student and faculty wellbeing.

Learn best practices for gender-affirming care and ways to facilitate gender-affirming care training at your institution in this webinar recap.

New members of Chi Psi fraternity experience Kognito’s At-Risk simulation to support their emotional health. With a nearly a 100% completion rate, the organization has seen positive outcomes since implementing the program three years ago.

Experiencing moral distress is inevitable for healthcare providers, but burnout doesn’t have to be. Kognito’s new course, Moral Distress & Resilience can help providers process their experience to address moral distress, which achieves the objectives of a new grant from HHS.

Richard E. Greene, MD, MHPE, is Director of Health Equity Education at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Greene spoke with us about health equity in the LGBTQ+ community and his experience serving as a subject matter expert on Kognito’s upcoming gender-affirming care simulation.

We sat down with Nathan Levitt, FNP-BC, MSN, RN, BSN, MA, Nurse Practitioner and Director of LGBTQ and Gender Justice Learning at Yale University. Nathan has been teaching LGBTQ healthcare to nursing and medical schools for over 20 years and is serving as a subject matter expert on Kognito’s upcoming gender-affirming care simulation.

Every patient deserves to be affirmed, respected, and understood when seeking care. Kognito worked with subject matter experts to create a new simulation that prepares providers to apply gender-affirming care, helping prevent harm and ensure greater access to quality care to transgender and gender diverse people.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are showcasing the voices of educators who are leading the charge in addressing student mental health and providing support for their students. In this interview, Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services Jason Harris from Columbus Public Schools in Nebraska shares how they prepared school staff to talk about trauma.

The group will provide thought leadership from a diverse set of backgrounds, experience, and knowledge to shape the key goals and direction of an upcoming DEI program.

Interprofessional education (IPE) curriculum strives to keep up with the rise of patient-centered, collaborative care that continues to yield improved patient outcomes. Kognito’s behavioral health simulations provide an enriching and research-driven solution that engages learners in all health specialties.

Early data indicates that substance use problems are on the rise in response to pandemic-related stress. Young people are particularly vulnerable. Implementing research-driven SEL curriculum can give students essential skills to better navigate their challenges.

A new survey released by Boston University School of Public Health sheds light on the college and university faculty perspective on the current state of student mental and behavioral health.

Communication is at the heart of social work, and one of the most powerful communication techniques in a social worker’s arsenal is motivational interviewing (MI). Here’s a brief overview of what MI is, its importance in social work, and how current and future social workers can gain valuable practice using MI skills.

Marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by the events that took place in 2020. Psychologists, mental health experts, and a college student weigh in on how campuses can best support their students during this pivotal time.

Holly Billings MSW, LCSW, is Behavior Support Specialist and Mental Health Coordinator for El Dorado School District in Arkansas. Holly shared with us how the district has reached both staff and students with critical mental health training, and adapted with the pandemic.

New course materials for learners and facilitator guides for instructors are now available.

Two large universities in Texas share how they are preparing students, faculty, and staff to engage in conversations about mental health during a time when students face increased pressure.

With limited options in the market, high schools often use informal SEL practices or SEL programs geared towards younger students. But research has found that teens’ SEL gaps are both wide and specific to their developmental stage.

A slate of recent news coverage highlights how Texas State University is turning to Kognito to support student mental health.

How are schools of social work using simulation technology to train their students? We chatted with Dr. Noell Rowan, a professor and associate director at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) School of Social Work, to tell us more about her experience with Kognito simulations.

Newest addition to Kognito higher education suite helps students set limits, build refusal skills & more

We spoke with Paget Hetherington, VP of Marketing at Gaggle, whose focus is spreading Gaggle’s message to school districts across the country, helping to ensure the safety and well-being of students. She has helped empower children to achieve academic success her entire career, leading sales and marketing efforts for global publishing and EdTech companies. In this Q&A, Paget shares takeaways from this past year and how Gaggle is tackling prevention and treatment.

SAMHSA’s FY 2021 Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Campus Suicide Prevention Grant (FOA SM-21-003) is open for applications.

Expressing our appreciation for educators who have gone above and beyond to support their students in 2020.

Healthcare professionals who work with adolescents and young adults are increasingly expected to have skills in screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT). Learn about the importance of early detection and how current and future clinicians are gaining valuable SBIRT skills, such as motivational interviewing, to improve short- and long-term health outcomes.

With the launch of its new Telehealth Encounters suite of simulations, Kognito continues to bring innovative behavioral health solutions to provider training

Introducing the first alcohol prevention program for college students that uses role-play conversations and realistic scenarios designed to lead to lasting behavior change.

Blended learning is shown to be effective for students, but what about applying blended learning to teacher and staff professional development? Learn about the many advantages of diversifying learning methods for adults. 

A new partnership helps students build skills and connect to peer-to-peer support when and where they need it

Kognito’s virtual human simulations combined with NORC’s curriculum implementation and evaluation services will provide a comprehensive training solution for schools of health professions.

HRSA’s FY 2021 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals Grant (HRSA-21-089) is open for applications. Learn how Kognito’s experiential training solutions in behavioral health can help build competencies for your trainees.

Is budget a barrier to your student mental health efforts? Our new guide can boost your efforts to find funding sources that can help bring the power of Kognito’s K-12 virtual simulations to your district.

A growth mindset can improve a college student’s chance of success…or can it? New research suggests that while the growth mindset is powerful, the campus environment is paramount.

CASEL recently updated its definition of social and emotional learning (SEL) to add clarity and reflect the evolution of SEL in education. Online SEL curriculum continues to be an effective way to change attitudes and behavior, and aligns well with the newly-expanded definition.

With the many advantages to telehealth, there are also challenges when it comes to effective patient-provider communication. How can physicians, nurses, and social workers build the specific skills needed for today’s care-delivery landscape?

In just two months, Public Schools of Robeson County in North Carolina engaged nearly every staff member with Kognito simulation training at the start of the pandemic. Learn how they did it.

What should you know about changes to Title IX training that could affect your sexual misconduct prevention programming, and how are schools managing training during an unprecedented year? Megan Heckel-Greco, Associate Director in the Office for Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Support at the University of Chicago, and Glen Kraemer, founding and managing partner of employment law firm Hirschfeld Kraemer LLP, fill us in.

Districts across Minnesota are adopting Kognito simulations to address suicide prevention

Kognito Honors Education Clients For Best Practices In Building A Safe And Supportive Culture

COVID-19 has stressed the already-present need for mental health and SEL curriculum in the classroom. By using a curriculum that is both engaging and accessible, teachers can get a head start on planning while effectively strengthening students’ social-emotional skills.

As schools revisit their whole child efforts, how can educators and district leaders ensure that students are set up for success after graduation?

Digital solutions have become a critical part of nursing education, especially during the pandemic. Here’s a look at trends that were already driving a shift to virtual nursing simulation, and how schools of nursing are incorporating this technology in their curriculum.

“If we thought students fell through the cracks before, now the cracks are canyons.”
Two experts on student suicide prevention, Dr. Scott Poland and Rich Lieberman, weigh in on the current situation, how it’s never too late to start a suicide prevention task force, and supporting student mental health with minimal resources.

Why students need these critical skills, and how higher education institutions can incorporate soft skills into their programming to help students achieve academic, career, and personal success — even virtually.

Miriam Lane is a school counselor serving over 300 students in pre-K through fifth grade just outside of Washington, DC. Miriam talked with us about the challenges and obstacles she’s overcome in her role since the transition to remote learning.

In the midst of a mental health epidemic, interpersonal communication skills are more important than ever for the health and wellbeing of both patients and providers.

Simulations addressing early childhood mental health, trauma-informed practices, and schools coping with loss awarded

How can school leaders help prevent the ongoing pandemic from aggravating the already-worsening teacher exodus? Here are some strategies to support teachers and school staff during COVID-19, based on research and insights from industry leaders.

What can colleges and universities do to address student support needs at a distance, especially as they move quickly to take student services online? Here’s what we know from research on the preferences of distance learners.

Learn how Miami-Dade County Public Schools is implementing Kognito prepare educators to become trauma-informed

We are proud to be listed by state health departments, education departments, and statewide foundations and non-profits as a recommended youth suicide prevention program.

Three college students and mental health activists involved with Active Minds share what the last few months have been like, advice for their peers, and what they look forward to.

Kognito Client Success Manager Sachi Bhalerao shares how motivational interviewing skills can improve healthcare delivery outcomes and how her clients are giving current and future providers the opportunity to learn these important communication techniques.

Jen Dowzak, a special education teacher in Minneapolis Public Schools, shares tips for practicing social skills with her students at a distance as part of our series showcasing the voices of educators who are leading the charge in addressing student mental health.

Enhancements to Kognito’s higher education simulation better address the needs of today’s college students through skill-building

The new enhanced At-Risk Mental Health for Students is designed to meet the needs of students in 2020, with an added focus on building resilience, supporting peers, and self-care. Learn more about these enhancements and how they help students succeed.

Contingent on safety, districts are making plans to reopen schools in the fall. But with classrooms open, what does that transition look like for students? See why re-entry is a key factor in a school reopening plan and how to prepare.

With billions of dollars available through the CARES Act, hospitals and institutions of higher education are eligible for grant funding that can support distance learning with simulation training.

With districts increasing attention and resources on student mental health for the new school year, what steps should they take to prepare? K-12 experts weigh in on who needs to “put their own oxygen masks on first,” before assisting students.

As colleges and universities prepare for the fall term, there remains uncertainty as to whether students will be home or on a socially distanced campus. That’s why it’s more important than ever to provide adequate prevention programming that can deeply engage students and foster connection.

Continuing our series showcasing the voices of educators who are leading the charge in addressing student mental health and providing much-needed support for their students, elementary school principal Dr. Sharon Porter chats with us about how her school has stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To better understand the reality of mental health on campus, we spoke with college students about their experiences dealing with distress and navigating difficult conversations with peers.

As part of our series during Mental Health Awareness Month, we chatted with Dr. Allison Sullivan about the need for mental health occupational therapy education and how Kognito’s SBI Skills Assessment simulation trained her OT students.

Hear from educators about how Kognito’s Trauma-Informed Practices for K12 Schools simulation has equipped them to recognize the impact of trauma in their classrooms.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this month we are showcasing the voices of educators who are leading the charge in addressing student mental health and providing much-needed support for their students. Below, Dan Katz-Zeiger, who teaches U.S. history and computer science at Roberto Clemente Community Academy High School in Chicago, shares his experience teaching remote during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn how virtual humans can be leveraged to help change patient behavior in this new spotlight by the National Healthcareer Association.

New guidance from the American College Health Association outlines administrative, medical, mental health, health promotion/well-being, and campus-wide considerations in reopening higher ed campuses. Here are three takeaways from the report on supporting student mental health.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools begins rollout of Kognito simulation to prepare educators to become trauma-informed

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this month we are showcasing the voices of educators who are leading the charge in addressing student mental health and providing much-needed support for their students. Below, Basil Marin, Assistant Principal at Chamblee Charter High School, shares how his school is adjusting to the new COVID-19 normal.

Are you calculating how to squeeze PD into a tight budget for the 2020-2021 school year? Discover two ways to maximize your PD efforts and ensure you’re making the most of your time and resources.

Now that remote learning systems may be in place, it’s time to prepare to flatten the next curve: student mental health. Here’s a look at how the pandemic is affecting students, and the actions districts can take to help them cope.

Are you in search of clinical training opportunities to supplement in-person training? Explore how simulation technology can fulfill clinical hours for students of health professions, and whether Kognito’s healthcare simulations can benefit your degree program during this time.

In a new letter to students, Tufts President Anthony P. Monaco explains why the university has chosen to implement interactive training on campus for the first time.

At a time when college campuses are shifting to remote learning, how will they prepare incoming students for school? Explore topics to consider when transitioning your in-person orientation programming to a virtual format for first-year and transfer students.

As educators support students during the COVID-19 pandemic, online trauma-informed training can equip them with knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to students having issues related to trauma or distress.

California district leaders are encouraged to explore this free webinar presentation about Bill AB-1767, the new law mandating that districts adopt an age-appropriate suicide prevention policy for elementary grades K-6 before the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

Nurses spend more time with patients than any other care provider, and their patient interactions can greatly affect the patient experience. Learn how training nurses in effective communication strategies can help healthcare organizations in their efforts to improve HCAHPS scores and lead to better quality care.

Remote learning in our current situation requires us to learn and communicate at a distance. But that doesn’t mean that our relationships have to become impersonal.

Learn more about how Kognito fits requirements of the grant and how we can help support a successful proposal. We are here to help!

Institutions are shifting their focus from college-ready students to becoming student-ready colleges. Discover the role that colleges, faculty and staff, and students play in this transition, and why the public is demanding the change.

Planning district-wide professional learning can be a daunting task requiring precious time and resources. Through unifying professional development tailored by grade level, your district can build capacity and impact relationships that support the whole child from preschool to graduation.

Kognito’s simulation for students offers comprehensive sexual misconduct prevention content designed to shape attitudes and behavior

Simulation technology is increasingly used to train future and current healthcare professionals to hone their knowledge and skills in a safe environment. Today the wide variety of medical simulation technology—both physical and virtual— has many applications and provides numerous benefits for schools of health professions and healthcare settings.

Does your district need to justify adopting high-quality professional development? Our new infographic outlines the outcomes that benefit your students, your teachers, and your school communities.

Introducing the first interactive sexual misconduct prevention training that helps foster a safer campus culture.

As more school districts incorporate SEL into their curricula, it’s important to choose effective programs that resonate with students.

Although the general impact of focusing on student mental health is a goal for all institutions of higher education, it is often difficult for colleges and universities to determine the precise Return on Investment (ROI) of their efforts.

Kognito’s new opioid use disorder training simulation provides interactive, evidence-based learning for healthcare professionals to practice skills providing treatment and motivating patients to change.

Three recent reports explore how Little Orange Fish, a nonprofit organization that addresses gaps in mental health care, is leveraging Kognito to support youth mental health in the Huntsville, Alabama area.

Discover how Boise State University is utilizing Kognito simulations to support mental health on campus in this recent news coverage that aired on ABC Boise.

A new report on ABC Sarasota highlights how Kognito’s interactive role-play conversations with virtual humans are being used to empower educators to support student mental health at Sarasota County Schools in Florida.

NBC Washington reports on how educators in Fairfax County, Virginia are using Kognito to help students who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

As social-emotional learning for students continues to grow, what about SEL for teachers? Learn how supporting adult SEL can pay off in the classroom.

Is your institution using a stepped care model to map mental health resources? See how universities are using stepped care to meet students where they are, with the right services.

Definitions of effective communication encompass not just the exchange of information, but also the manner in which that information is communicated: in a way that both parties understand and feel ready to act. How can schools of health professions and healthcare organizations ensure that their provider workforce is prepared, confident, and likely to practice effective communication skills with patients?

What do teachers and school staff really want from professional development? Giving them a voice in how they learn can open doors that lead to major benefits for school districts.

Community colleges face unique challenges compared to four-year universities. But there are steps they can take to address student mental health, even with fewer on-campus resources.

As healthcare leaders face opioid and mental health crises, integrating behavioral health into primary care is seeing promising results. Here’s how they’re doing it and why.

A new article by PCMag.com highlights how Kognito simulations utilize psychology, role-playing game theory, and artificial intelligence to help healthcare professionals strengthen communication skills and better support patient health.

We talked with Ian Krueger, Suicide Awareness Educator at Crisis Services of Northern Alabama. Since the summer of 2018, Ian has reached over 1,600 middle and high school students with mental health and suicide prevention training with Kognito’s Friend2Friend simulation. Ian tells us more about how he works with the community and local schools, and the changes he has seen through implementing mental health education for students.

Adequate access to counseling center services is only one piece of the puzzle. As concern for student wellbeing on campus grows, university leaders, decisionmakers, and mental health advocates are seeking ways to holistically support student mental health.

NBC Greenville, CBS Greenville, and more highlight how Eastern Carolina University is introducing Kognito simulations for faculty, staff, and students to support mental health and prevent suicide on campus.

Providing more interactive, engaging professional development may help to improve teacher retention and avoid burnout.

How prepared are educators to recognize and respond when an incident of bullying occurs in the classroom?

As patients, we’ve probably heard “what brings you in?” as a conversation starter with our healthcare providers. The doctor-patient communication that follows is critically important to achieve safe, high quality, and cost-effective care.

As the 2019-2020 Back-to-School season comes to an end, learn about the exciting updates from our clients’ recent implementation efforts.

Addressing school-based suicide prevention is not a simple task for schools to address on their own. Community partnerships are a valuable and effective approach for achieving a public health goal.

This August, schools across Florida are utilizing Kognito simulations to help teachers and staff develop the knowledge and skills to speak with students in need of mental health support.

Harvey Mudd’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Anna Gonzalez, speaks with Forbes about leveraging Kognito to support student mental health.

Lead character designer Holly Mongi uses her creative and technical skills to make 3D animation and virtual humans come to life at Kognito.

Kognito Honors Education Clients For Best Practices In Building A Safe And Supportive Culture

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, bringing the issue of suicide and mental health to the forefront and highlighting the need for suicide prevention training.

A new article asks: Can Virtual Simulations Teach a Human Skill Like Empathy?

Two major research reports focused on the need for mental health training on campus. One surveys college presidents, and the other surveys college students. What these reports have in common may surprise you.

EdWeek explores how districts in Houston are utilizing Kognito simulations to better support students whose behavior might be related to sources of trauma or distress.

This professional development tool for preschool teachers plays a role in building community for at-risk preschoolers who need more support.

Simulations Engage Learners in Practicing Conversations with Virtual, Fully Animated Students and Caregivers

Based on increasing demand from schools for a tool to assess the myriad training program options, this chart was created to be an easy-to-read overview and comparison of in-person and online professional development training programs for educators.

Kognito’s Insights Reports are an important part of client success. Insights reports highlight our clients’ key data points, utilization of Kognito simulations, and the change and impact those simulations are having in their institution.

Over the past year, a number of peer-reviewed journals have reviewed Kognito simulations to determine their effectiveness – here’s what they’ve found.

Motivational interviewing is a counseling method proven effective to drive patients towards behavior change; but in reality, motivational interviewing takes practice to master. Kognito’s instructional designer Seth Bleecker shows healthcare professionals three ways to have better conversations about behavior change, right now.

LOS ANGELES – June 20, 2019 – Kognito’s Talk To Someone: Triple Negative Breast Cancer simulation has received a Bronze Medal citation for excellence in the Healthcare category in the 2019 International Serious Play Awards program.

Kognito’s Trauma-Informed Practices for K12 Schools simulation has received a Gold Medal citation for excellence in the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) category in the 2019 International Serious Play Awards program.

EdWeek Market Brief highlights how Kognito is leveraging interactive simulation technology to help train adults in the K-12 space to address mental health issues.

Discover how Kognito’s interactive simulation technology is poised to be a transformative tool for training healthcare professionals in this new spotlight by the National Healthcareer Association.

Over the past year, colleges and universities across the country have implemented Kognito simulations to change the culture around student mental health.

To combat the substance use epidemic, simple evidence-based substance use training for healthcare providers is critical in order to identify more at-risk patients and assess their readiness to change.

Dr. Glenn Albright, Kognito’s Co-Founder and Director of Research, tells us more about how Kognito’s research team conducts original research and building evidence that supports the effectiveness of our simulations.

We chat with Dr. Glenn Albright, Kognito’s Co-Founder Director of Research, to learn about why surveys are so critical to our mission at Kognito.

Nearly all Kognito’s simulations are now accessible on mobile devices. Mike Williams, a developer at Kognito, explains the journey of taking Kognito to mobile, and how to access simulations on your phone or tablet.

Addressing the mental health needs of students on campus is urgent. But a common challenge for colleges and universities is finding the funding and resources to dedicate to mental health solutions. Learn how institutions benefit from investment in a preventive approach to campus mental health with the infographic below.

Learn about how Kognito’s Friend2Friend can support your school or district’s mental health efforts. Friend2Friend is an interactive simulation designed to educate middle school and high school students about mental health.

How can empathy be taught? Ben Zeiger, a writer here at Kognito, shares how he designs conversations with virtual humans that allow us to effectively apply empathy skills in the real world.

In honor of women’s history month, we asked our team members to describe their experience and career development at Kognito. Thank you to all of the exceptional women who contribute to our work and mission!

Learn from CBS Gainesville about how the University of Florida is using Kognito to empower faculty, staff, and students to connect at-risk students with the help they need.

NBC Washington DC highlights Talk To Someone: Triple Negative Breast Cancer, a free online and mobile app for breast cancer patients that provides a safe and personalized environment to ask questions and address difficult topics like chemotherapy and survivorship with a virtual breast cancer survivor.

ABC Philadelphia highlights how Kognito’s At-Risk simulations are being implemented to support student mental health at La Salle University.

We are proud to introduce our new bullying prevention simulation, Building Respect. Read below for why we made it and how Building Respect can make a difference in your school community.

NEW YORK, April 9, 2019 — Health simulation company Kognito today announced a new professional development role-play simulation that prepares K-12 school personnel to respond to a death in the school community.

The Wall Street Journal highlights how Kognito’s suite of substance use and mental health simulations are helping to revolutionize the patient experience.

To coincide with the release of Kognito’s newest simulation, Resilient Together: Coping with Loss at School, we spoke with subject matter experts Dr. Scott Poland and Rich Lieberman who were instrumental in the development of the information and learning experience of the simulation.

When it comes to improving the U.S. health system, many look to the “gold standard” model of enhancing patient experience: the Triple Aim. But what about providers? The Quadruple Aim takes into account this important prerequisite to improving population health.

Learn about how Kognito’s Building Respect: Bulling Prevention in Schools can help administrators equip educators with the skills and confidence to take a stand against bullying and promote a culture of respect.

As schools invest in the physical and psychological safety of their students, what are threats to school safety they might be overlooking?

The Chronicle of Higher Education highlights how the University of Dayton has implemented Kognito as part of a holistic approach to investing in student mental health.

Kognito Co-Founder and Director of Research Dr. Glenn Albright speaks with Thrive Global about our mission, addressing the stigma around mental health, and how he maintains his own mental well-being.

To tackle burnout, universities are taking initiative to prepare first-year students with the skills to address mental health among their peers and for themselves.

Kognito standardized patient simulation scenarios provide effective, evidence-based health professions training that is scalable, replicable, and trackable.

Some professional development solutions for teachers appear affordable, but often that price comes with a hidden cost. Find out the true cost of teacher training for educators in your district.

See how Kognito’s suite of interactive healthcare simulations supports integrating behavioral health into routine care.

Learn about how Kognito’s Veterans on Campus can teach faculty and staff about military culture, help build empathy and appreciation for the experiences of student veterans and military-connected students, and effectively connect them to on and off-campus support services.

Learn about Kognito’s suite of products to educate faculty, staff, and students about mental health including how to recognize, approach, and discuss a referral with students exhibiting signs of psychological distress.

Adina Kalet, MD, MPH of NYU School of Medicine, discusses the challenges of learning to have difficult conversations, and how Kognito simulations can help this process.

In Talk to Someone, patients meet their virtual coach Linda, who herself is a triple-negative breast cancer survivor.

A Longitudinal Study with 6,239 Latinx Students at 78 Institutions

Each year, more than half a million patients with cancer are treated with chemotherapy, and according to the CDC, infections that are linked to neutropenia are some of the most serious side effects, which can lead to hospitalization, disruption in treatment, or even death.

Living Local interviewed Bethany Pace-Danley and Stacey McClellan from Peer Assistance Services in Colorado about the One Degree: Shift the Influence campaign. As part of the campaign, Coloradans can access Kognito simulations to practice difficult conversations on alcohol and marijuana use.

NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2018/ — PM360, a leading trade magazine for marketing decision makers in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, and diagnostics industries, has named Kognito’s Talk to Someone: Triple Negative Breast Cancer as one of the most innovative Products of 2018.

We asked each team at Kognito: what are you most proud of from the past year? These reflections piece together what we’ve been working on, our accomplishments, and where we are heading in 2019.

CBS Houston covered Kognito’s Trauma-Informed Practices for K12 Schools simulation product that prepares educators to support students whose behavior might be related to sources of trauma or distress.

Antibiotics: what can prepare health professionals to have conversations with patients who expect antibiotics, but don’t need them?

NBC Philadelphia interviews La Salle University about how Kognito’s At-Risk mental health and suicide prevention simulation trains student leaders to identify signs of distress and guide fellow students to campus resources.

Kognito’s new professional development solution prepares educators to recognize and respond to students experiencing distress from a traumatic experience.

New York City, NY — One year after Hurricane Harvey, Houston-area teachers have a new tool to respond to children who have experienced trauma or distress through a new online professional development program.

How are we as educators, mental health specialists, parents, and mentors ensuring that we foster positive communication with and among our students?

On National Coming Out Day and every day, conversations with a supportive adult can make a big impact for LGBTQ youth and young adults.

New York City, NY—For the first time, an app using virtual human technology is enabling newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to learn about their treatment options.

Learn what colleges and universities can do to bring awareness to mental health and meet the needs of students in distress.

Suicide is a sensitive topic that is not easy to bring up, but when you know how to talk about suicide, you can help someone access the care they need.

For health professionals, knowing how to communicate with patients effectively is key to improving health outcomes.

With growing attention on student wellbeing, building better student relationships is an emerging focus for both teachers in the K-12 space and faculty and staff in the higher education space.

Whether personally or professionally, all of us are faced with managing a difficult conversation at many points in our lives. And unfortunately, there isn’t an easy blueprint or birdie to whisper in our ear to make these conversations easier.

We talked with Michelle Harrison, a school counselor at Los Alamos Public Schools’ Topper Freshman Academy in New Mexico, who spearheaded an effort to reach 275 ninth graders with a suicide prevention curriculum incorporating Kognito’s Friend2Friend simulation. We wanted to know more about her strategies for engaging students and what she learned.

Access the top 13 Reasons Why resources for schools, teachers, and parents about how to address mental health and suicide among teen viewers of the show.

Learn about Kognito’s suite of products to teach PK-12 educators (elementary, middle and high school) about mental health and suicide prevention which supports improved student wellness and school safety.

Being armed with facts about suicide prevention in schools can help educators use their best judgment in intervening with students.

WGN Chicago Morning News talks with Dr. Michael Dentato from Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work about Kognito’s SBI with Adolescent simulation and their implementation of the tool to train social work students in conducting substance use Screening & Brief Intervention (SBI) with adolescent patients.

Since 2011, St. John’s University has used Kognito’s At-Risk to prepare its faculty and staff to support students in distress and connect them to campus resources.

“Trauma is the #1 public health issue of our time.” Those words were a powerful anchor for Responding to Trauma: The Role of K-12 Schools, our January 2018 webinar on trauma-informed schools, emphasizing the magnitude and urgency of responding to childhood trauma.

SAMHSA’s FY 2018 Garrett Lee Smith (GLS) Campus Suicide Prevention Grant (FOA SM 18-003) is open for applications.

New York City, NY—Kognito announced today that it was awarded a contract, valued at $4.8 million, to provide a series of role-play simulations to the Veterans Health Administration.

A note from our co-founders, Ron Goldman and Glenn Albright

Virtual humans help engage users, provide a safe and effective instructional environment, and more.

Suicide is a significant public health problem worldwide. In 2010 alone, there were 38,364 suicides in the U.S. (105 per day; one suicide every 14 minutes), where suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24. There are an estimated 25 suicide attempts for each death by suicide.

Greetings from Kognito’s Client Experience Team! We are pleased to share with our Kognito community that in August alone nearly 60,000 individuals accessed our simulations to learn how to lead real-life conversations that improve social, emotional, and physical health.

Kognito’s SVP of Strategic Partnerships attended the 21st Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health in San Diego from Sept 29-Oct 1.

We’ve all heard it before. Friends teasing each other. A bully displaying negative behavior. Someone looking for attention by saying something risky enough to look bad, but not bad enough to reprimanded. And why are there no consequences for this anti-LGBTQ behavior? The problem is faculty and staff members don’t always know how to intervene in any type of bullying situation.

The LQBTQ youth population has a high percentage of bullying and suicide attempts. Kognito discusses how we can help.

Jennifer Spiegler discusses how communication and words matter in PK-12 and how Kognito can help.

Managing post-election stress is necessary in PK-12 and Higher Education settings. Kognito can help with these initiatives.

The Journal of mHealth discusses the work of Kognito and how we are changing health behaviors through role-play simulations with virtual humans.

Kognito’s obesity prevention and motivational interviewing app for pediatricians and other health professionals receive a 5-Star rating from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics magazine.