How Dr. India White's G.R.I.T Framework Aligns to National Mental Health Standards
India White • October 5, 2024
How G.R.I.T. Framework Aligns to Natioal Mental Health Standards
How the G.R.I.T. Framework is Aligned with National Health Standards
Dr. India White's G.R.I.T. Framework, which emphasizes the pillars of Growth Mindset, Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Time Management, aligns deeply with the National Health Education Standards (NHES). By focusing on building Great Resilience In Time (G.R.I.T.), this framework supports students in enhancing their health knowledge and behaviors, allowing them to meet these eight standards effectively. Here's how the G.R.I.T. framework aligns with each of the NHES:
Standard 1: Comprehend Functional Health Knowledge to Enhance Health
The G.R.I.T. framework promotes a growth mindset, encouraging students to embrace learning as a continuous process. This mindset is crucial in comprehending health information and understanding that they can continually improve their health knowledge. Self-efficacy plays a significant role as students learn to apply their knowledge confidently in real-life health scenarios.
Standard 2: Analyze Influences on Health Behaviors
The resilience pillar in the G.R.I.T. framework helps students navigate the influences of family, peers, culture, social media, and technology. With resilience, students can critically evaluate these influences and maintain their focus on health-enhancing behaviors despite external pressures. Time management allows students to allocate appropriate time to reflect on and analyze these influences, ensuring a balanced perspective that promotes their well-being.
Standard 3: Demonstrate Health Literacy by Accessing Valid Health Information
By fostering self-efficacy, the G.R.I.T. framework empowers students to confidently seek out valid and reliable health information, products, and services. A growth mindset further supports this standard by encouraging students to continuously refine their ability to find trustworthy sources, ensuring they can make informed health decisions.
Standard 4: Demonstrate Effective Interpersonal Communication Skills
The G.R.I.T. framework's focus on resilience equips students with the emotional strength needed to engage in difficult conversations about health issues, such as mental health or substance abuse. By using effective time management, students can practice and improve their communication skills over time, becoming better advocates for their own health and the health of others.
Standard 5: Demonstrate Effective Decision-Making Skills
Dr. White’s G.R.I.T. framework emphasizes self-efficacy, helping students believe in their ability to make informed and responsible health decisions. Through a growth mindset, students learn that making mistakes is a part of learning, which encourages thoughtful reflection and better decision-making over time.
Standard 6: Demonstrate Effective Goal-Setting Skills
The G.R.I.T. framework incorporates time management as a key pillar, allowing students to set realistic, achievable goals related to their health. Whether it’s developing a fitness routine or managing stress, students learn to structure their time in a way that promotes progress and achievement, reinforcing the growth mindset that health improvement is a gradual process.
Standard 7: Demonstrate Observable Health and Safety Practices
The resilience that the G.R.I.T. framework promotes enables students to persistently apply health and safety practices in their daily lives. As they encounter challenges, such as peer pressure or conflicting demands, resilience helps them stay committed to observable behaviors like wearing safety gear or adhering to healthy eating habits.
Standard 8: Advocate for Behaviors That Support Personal, Family, Peer, School, and Community Health
The self-efficacy fostered through the G.R.I.T. framework empowers students to be strong advocates for health—whether it's within their family, school, or broader community. With a growth mindset, they see their advocacy efforts as part of a long-term journey to improving health outcomes, understanding that even small actions can make a big impact over time.
Conclusion
Dr. India White’s G.R.I.T. Framework supports students and teachers in achieving the National Health Education Standards by building essential qualities like growth mindset, resilience, self-efficacy, and time management. These pillars foster long-term, sustainable health behaviors, ensuring that both students and educators can meet the challenges of health education with confidence and persistence, ultimately achieving Great Resilience In Time. Through the G.R.I.T. approach, health education becomes not just about learning facts, but about developing the mental and emotional tools necessary for lifelong health and well-being.
References
National Consensus for School Health Education. (2022). National Health
Education Standards: Model guidance for curriculum and instruction
(3rd ed.). https://www.schoolhealtheducation.org/wp-
content/uploads/2022/10/National_Health_Education_Standards_Guide
-10.02.2022.pdf
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Hello CAMT Family, A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the session Peter and I presented on "From Productive Struggle to Perseverance." We are so grateful for your energy, your insights, and your deep commitment to growing gritty learners in the math classroom. As you return to your schools and teams, I encourage you to keep in mind the difference between state and traits . Struggle is often a state—temporary and situational—but perseverance is a trait—something we can build and nurture over time. Let’s continue to help our students shift from temporary struggle to lifelong perseverance by developing resilience, self-efficacy, and a growth mindset and time management in our schools . As a special thank you for attending, I’m offering my G.R.I.T. Workbook at a conference-exclusive price of only $15! This resource is filled with practical strategies and reflections to help students and educators build Great Resilience in Time. Grab your copy and order for your school here ! 👉 To grab your discounted workbook or to schedule a workshop, G.R.I.T. training, or educational consultation, click the link below and book your appointment today: 1) Free Consultation Appointment : 2) Book Dr. India White here : Finally, I want to take a moment to say that my thoughts and prayers are with all of Texas as you navigate the aftermath of the recent floods. We see you. We stand with you. And we are lifting you up. Let’s stay connected, keep building G.R.I.T., and continue turning moments of struggle into stepping stones for success. With gratitude and perseverance, Dr. India White Let's Stay Connected! Email: indiawhiteconsulting@gmail.com X: Indispeaknteach Blusheky: drindiagrit IG: Indi238 FB: Msindiawhite YT: Theindiawhite Tiktok: drindiawhite
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Dear Educators, Principals, and School Leaders, I’m excited to share that my latest newsletter has just arrived, filled with inspiring updates, resources, and tools to support your teams and students in building a culture of G.R.I.T.—Growth, Resilience, Intentional Self-Efficacy, and Time Management. As you plan your professional development sessions, conferences, or school events for the upcoming year, I’d love to partner with you. Whether it’s a keynote, workshop, or interactive training, I specialize in helping educators and school communities cultivate grit, equity, and empowerment in ways that are practical, engaging, and transformational. If you’re interested in having me speak at your school, district, or conference, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be honored to serve your team. You can also explore my speaking topics and G.R.I.T. resources at: www.india-white.com Let’s connect, collaborate, and inspire greatness—together! Here's the link to my newsletter to share: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF_21LSLwQ/sEqABtI7pY0-Gh5vSzQnLg/edit?utm_content=DAF_21LSLwQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton Warmly,
Thank You, Nevada Association of School Administrators: Building a Culture of G.R.I.T. Together I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Adam Lane and the Nevada Association of School Administrators (NASA) for the incredible opportunity to speak at your recent conference. It was truly an honor to engage with such passionate, forward-thinking educational leaders who are committed to transforming schools and communities. During our time together, we explored a theme close to my heart: creating a culture of G.R.I.T.—not just in the classroom, but throughout our communities. We unpacked the G.R.I.T. Framework, which focuses on cultivating Growth Mindset, Resilience, Intentional Self-Efficacy, and Time Management in both educators and students. These four pillars are foundational for student success, especially in today’s challenging and ever-evolving educational landscape. We also discussed the critical role educators and school leaders play in modeling and reinforcing these values. From building trusting relationships to ensuring equity and access, educators are the heartbeat of our communities. When we lead with empathy, authenticity, and grit, we empower students to do the same—and we create schools where every learner feels seen, supported, and capable of greatness. To the school leaders, superintendents, and administrators who attended: thank you for your engagement, your insights, and your commitment to building a legacy of perseverance and purpose. I walked away inspired by your stories, your questions, and your unwavering dedication to improving outcomes for all students across Nevada. If you're interested in learning more about the G.R.I.T. Framework or want to access tools like the G.R.I.T. Workbook, I invite you to visit www.india-white.com/what-does-grit-mean-to-you ] And if you missed the session or want to revisit the message, you can also check out my TEDx Talk: The Power of G.R.I.T. Thank you once again, Adam and NASA, for giving me the platform to share this mission and for all you do to champion student success across Nevada and beyond. Let’s continue lifting others as we climb—one gritty step at a time.