One in four American adults — and one in five children — experiences mental health problems. Black Americans are diagnosed at lower levels, but research suggests the numbers don’t tell the full story. Black families are more likely to have issues accessing care, or finding the type of mental healthcare that meets their needs.

Throughout the year, Thomas tweets recommended books via the Twitter account @healingfictions. Here are her 2016 favorites that deal with issues like gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and socioeconomic class in ways that are real and empathetic.

For children to thrive as learners, they need to feel all aspects of their identity are welcomed in a school. Kate Kinney Grossman shares these ideas for building an “identity safe” school and classroom.

Elizabeth Mackenzie offers tips on how educators can improve their students' academic performance, as well as physical and mental health, by integrating contemplative practices into the classroom.