Change Your World Week Winter 2022 (Archived)

Mental health has become an increasingly popular topic in education during the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many children are left with feelings they may not be well-equipped to deal with. Even before the pandemic, the “...rates of childhood mental health concerns and suicide rose steadily between 2010 and 2020” (American Academy of Pediatrics). Children may feel isolated and vulnerable with these new challenges they are facing. Although some may be more knowledgeable about the different types of mental health issues, most kids live unaware. When kids go through these difficult times without understanding what may be the root of their problems, it can create a snowball effect. This is why it is critical to provide and inform children on mental health-related topics.

Schools may touch on mental health topics, but they are certainly restricted in what they can and can’t teach. Most decision-making is left up to the state, and then up to the individual school. This leads to inconsistencies in what information/resources children can have access to. It’s integral that students have a way to learn more and reside in a safe environment, where they can explore their issues. If we can provide kids with more resources and overall knowledge in their school system, we can properly educate them on what being mentally healthy looks like. This includes teaching them how to manage mental health issues, where they can reach out if they have questions, and overall provide a new sense of comfort for kids who may lack that feeling.

As with any issue that needs to systematically change, there are arguments on both sides. This is even more evident when dealing with an issue like mental health, which is constantly surrounded by stigma.

→ Many people view mental health issues in a dark light. This stigma prevents people from getting the treatment they need and stops parents from sympathizing with their children with mental health issues. Bullying and harassment can also come from this stigma (Mayo Clinic). This stigma can make it difficult to implement the changes we need for our schools. 

→ Other arguments may include concerns parents have about checking yes on a school form questioning whether or not their child has a history of mental illness, or whether they have been treated for mental health issues in the past. Parents worry that this could be used against their children, they consider the stigma that mental health issues have and don’t want that stigma to negatively impact their child. Though questions like this are the school's way of trying to understand how many mental health professionals they should have on staff, and keep an eye on the well-being of kids (Ochoa).

→ Many families also may feel that school isn't the proper place for such topics to be discussed. They often regard the family or the home as the only place where these conversations should be talked about. Though a large part of discussions should be held within the family unit, it is important that schools properly teach these mental health issues to children. They have a right to know about their bodies.

Many people are stakeholders within school systems and the world of mental health. All of these peoples and groups hold a certain amount of power in this area, they have a certain amount of influence, or they will be influenced by the growing mental health issues in public education. Some of the biggest stakeholders are: students/families, schools, mental health organizations/professionals 

→ 1 in 5 children and adolescents experience a mental health issue during their time in school (National Association of School Psychologists). The students themselves are experiencing these issues, they’re watching their peers experience these issues. Our students are directly influenced by how we move forward and address the mental health problem that is devastating to our schools. Their families also have influence over this problem. They can bring it up to the school administration, to ask questions. 

The more awareness we can bring to this issue, the further we can get. 

→ Schools are the institutions that can make this happen. Big changes may rely on the government and the Department of Education, but there are many free resources that could be used within public schools. Schools also have access to their own mental health professionals, who they could work with to use these resources and implement other strategies. Many schools have their own mental health programs, the more that are created the more obvious it will be that something like that is needed at all schools. 

→ Much power rests in mental health organizations and professionals, they have the information and expertise that is needed for this issue. They may have strategies and ideas that would help our students. 

→ The Department of Education holds much power, and they have acknowledged the issues of mental health in k-12 education. 

It should be required that schools have mental health education as part of their basic curriculum. Mental health is something kids should have an understanding of, so they will know how to best help their fellow peers, and also themselves. Students should receive a mental health education suited for their age group, the education they receive should be evidence and researched based. Students should also be aware of the resources they have at their disposal. 

Staff members should also be trained in recognizing mental health issues and be able to point students in the right direction to get the help they need. Oftentimes teachers serve as trusted adults in the lives of many kids, and with the right resources, they may be able to help these students. 

Though staff should have crisis response training, it is also important to recognize the detrimental impact mental health issues have on students day to day learning and education. This is why it is important to implement a “system-based, evidence-based, whole-school approach”, as Dr. David Anderson says (Walker). Meaning that these changes should be implemented throughout the entire school.

They should also have a good number of mental health professionals on staff, which is equivalent to the needs of the student population. Michigan, along with 40 other states, does not meet the ACLU’s guidelines for recommended mental health professionals to student ratios (Bullard). As you can see in the graphic above. This means that the mental health professionals we do have, are oftentimes overworked.

These changes need to be implemented federally so all schools have equal access to similar resources and education. Schools must be required to make these changes, and have access to funding to do so.

There are plenty of resources that could be shared with schools in order to help this issue. Beyond this, making use of general resources provided for everyone. Educating yourself and spreading this information will help as well, one step at a time. 

→ Information on Mental Health Stigma: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

→ FREE mental health school supplies can be found at the following link: https://www.crisistextline.org/school-mental-health/ 

→ Anyone can be connected with a crisis counselor by texting “HOME” to 741741.

→ The National Suicide Prevention Line can be accessed by calling the following number: 800-273-8255

The above resources should be posted at schools to make students aware of them. 

→ There are lots of training courses schools could require for their staff members, such as the Mental Health First Aid Youth Training of Community Mental Health for Central Michigan. This course, “introduces participants to the unique risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems in adolescents, builds understanding of the importance of early intervention, and teaches individuals how to help an adolescent in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge.” Information about this course can be found at the following link: https://www.cmhcm.org/services/mental-health-first-aid.html

→ Community Mental Health for Central Michigan generally has so many resources available, for anyone looking to learn more or that may need help themselves:  https://www.cmhcm.org

→ The following is an example of what to look for in terms of different mental health disorders: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for

American Academy of Pediatrics. “AAP-AACAP-CHA Declaration of a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.” Aap,  American Academy of Pediatrics, 19 Oct. 2021, https://www.aap.org/en/advocacy/child-and-adolescent-healthy-mental-development/aap-aacap-cha-declaration-of-a-national-emergency-in-child-and-adolescent-mental-health/.

Bullard, Roderick. “Mental Health in Michigan Schools.” IPPSR, Michigan State University, 9 Mar. 2021, http://ippsr.msu.edu/public-policy/michigan-wonk-blog/mental-health-michigan-schools.

Mayo Clinic. “Mental Health: Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness.” Mayo Clinic, 24 May 2017, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477.

National Association of School Psychologists. “Comprehensive School-Based Mental and Behavioral Health Services and School Psychologists.” National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), 2021, https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/mental-health/school-psychology-and-mental-health/comprehensive-school-based-mental-and-behavioral-health-services-and-school-psychologists.

Ochoa, Julio. “Parents Are Leery Of Schools Requiring ‘Mental Health’ Disclosures By Students.” Kaiser Health News, Kaiser Family Foundation, 25 Sept. 2018, https://khn.org/news/parents-are-leery-of-schools-requiring-mental-health-disclosures-by-students/.

Walker, Tim. “Are Schools Ready to Tackle the Mental Health Crisis?” NEA, National Education Association, 13 Sept. 2018, https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/are-schools-ready-tackle-mental-health-crisis.

Did you feel you were adequately taught about mental health issues in K-12?