Strengthening Mental Health, Leadership, and Trauma-Informed Cultures
Strong Culture provides trauma-informed, mental health education and leadership training for organizations, schools, families, and communities.
Our Core Services
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✔ Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training
Evidence-based certification training for organizations, schools, and communities. Teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health challenges.
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✔ Trauma-Informed Training for Secondary Schools
A specialized 3-module program for grades 6–12 that strengthens staff awareness, classroom responses, and school-wide culture.
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✔ Mental Health & Trauma-Informed Training for Foster Care & Child Welfare
Training for foster parents, kinship caregivers, adoptive families, social workers, and child welfare teams that strengthens trauma awareness, emotional regulation skills, attachment understanding, and communication—so youth and families feel safer, more supported, and more connected.
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✔ Leadership & Workplace Wellbeing Training
Workplace workshops, team development, and coaching that build psychological safety, communication, and resilience.
Why Strong Culture?
Strong Culture was founded by Laura Newman, MSCJ, BHS, a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, trauma educator, leadership trainer, and program manager with more than a decade of experience supporting schools, state agencies, nonprofits, families, and youth-serving programs.
Laura combines:
Lived experience in the child welfare system
Professional expertise in behavioral health, juvenile justice, wellness, and policy
Delivery of statewide training across DHS, DCF, DOC, DOA, UW campuses, healthcare teams, and community organizations
Experience training educators, leaders, caregivers, social workers, and youth programs
A trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach rooted in compassion, clarity, and real-world application
This combination makes Strong Culture uniquely trustworthy, relatable, and effective.
People trust Laura because she can teach the research and the reality of trauma, mental health, and human behavior.
What We Help You Achieve
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Stronger Mental Health Literacy
Teams gain a clearer understanding of mental health challenges, early warning signs, and how to respond with confidence and compassion.
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Safer, More Supportive Environments
Staff learn trauma-informed tools that create safe, predictable cultures and strengthen communication and trust across teams and classrooms
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Trauma-Informed Confidence
Leaders, educators, and caregivers develop practical strategies to stay grounded, respond to distress effectively, and support regulation without escalation.
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Better Outcomes for Youth & Teams
When adults are informed and emotionally regulated, students and staff experience stronger relationships, healthier engagement, and a more connected culture.
Organizations We Support
Employers & HR Teams
Mental health training that improves culture, performance, and retention across your workforce.
Schools & Youth Programs
Early-intervention skills that help educators support students, families, and youth mental health.
Government & Community Agencies
Trauma-informed, practical skills for staff serving vulnerable populations in high-demand environments.
Reentry & Justice-Involved Programs
Training that strengthens trust, communication, and self-awareness for individuals and staff navigating reentry.
Sports, Athletic & Performance Organizations
Skills for coaches and athletes to recognize mental health challenges and build supportive team environments.
Organizations that Have Participated in Mental Health First Aid Training
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State of Wisconsin Agencies
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA)
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI)
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC)
State of Wisconsin Well Wisconsin Champions (WebMD Health Services’ statewide program)
Peer-to-Peer Support Groups across Wisconsin
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Higher Education
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (UW-Whitewater)
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point (UWSP)
UW Health
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Community & Professional Groups
Champions and wellness leaders serving the State of Wisconsin
Peer support and workplace wellness groups
Why Key Mental Health Trends Matter for Employers
Understanding mental health trends helps employers see what their workforce is actually experiencing. High levels of stress, burnout, and turnover aren’t personal failures—they’re patterns happening across the country. When organizations pay attention to these trends, they can respond before issues turn into crises.
The World Health Organization reports that globally, depression and anxiety cause an estimated 12 billion working days lost each year, costing about US $1 trillion in lost productivity.
Research indicates that for every US $1 invested in mental-health support programs, employers can expect around US $4 return in improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower healthcare costs
A survey by Headspace indicates that in 2024 89% of employees say their leaders talk about their own mental health, up from 35% in 2020—signifying a big shift in workplace culture.
