The mental health crisis in American schools has reached a critical point, becoming a significant concern for educators and parents. 2024’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows a sharp rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among students.
Over 2% of children aged 3–5 years have anxiety, 0.1% have depression, and 4.6% have behaviour disorders. Worse, the figures just increase with age. 15.3% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 have anxiety, about 9% have depression, and 7.5% suffer from behaviour disorders.
As children spend much of their time in schools, integrating mental health education into the curriculum is more critical than ever. This approach helps students understand their mental health and eases the surrounding reservations. By prioritising mental health education, schools can create a more supportive environment for students to thrive academically and emotionally.
Why Prioritise Mental Health Education?
Introducing mental health education in schools offers numerous benefits. It can improve academic performance by helping students manage stress and emotions better. Additionally, it equips students to identify the markers of mental health troubles in themselves and others, promoting timely intervention.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is one technique that has shown promise in addressing these issues. The KFF notes that SEL programs help students develop skills like emotional regulation and empathy, which are essential for their well-being. Schools adopting these programs report improvements in both student behaviour and academic outcomes.
Over 70% of schools report them as partially, very, or incredibly helpful in improving student performance. It helped students improve emotional intelligence, empathy, academic efficiency, and fostering and retaining peer relationships. Likewise, it eased psychological distress. While it’s clear that this approach helps students, measuring improvements remains a challenge.
Recent State of Mental Health in Schools
The current scenario reflects a growing crisis. Schools across the nation struggle to provide adequate mental health support. For instance, 60% of high school students in Wisconsin admitted to suffering from at least one mental health concern between 2022 and 2023.
The Associated Press reports that the Department of Public Instruction surveyed over 1880 students from 42 government, charter, and progressive high schools. Over two-quarters of students had experienced anxiety, and 35% were depressed for nearly a fortnight or more. Similarly, over 20% engaged in non-suicidal self-harming behaviours.
The study further reveals that LGBTQ+ and female respondents were more affected than their counterparts. This prompted Jill Underly, the state superintendent for education, to push for more investment in mental health interventions in educational institutes. But the truth remains, which is that several schools still lack proper resources and trained staff to help students in need.
Over 60% of all public schools offer a formal mental health curriculum. However, this figure falls from 74% in elementary and 58% in middle or combined schools to 43% in high or secondary schools. The primary reason why public schools don’t have a SEL curriculum is insufficient time. Over 45% of schools say it’s the biggest roadblock, 37% don’t have the funds, and 34% lack the materials and resources.
Likewise, 21% of schools don’t receive district support, while 17% lack teacher assistance. This gap hurts academic performance and personal growth. Students with untreated mental health issues often show lower grades, are emotionally unstable, and have limited growth prospects.
Role of Policy and Leadership in Mental Health Education
Policies play a crucial role in successfully implementing mental health education. State governments and school boards must prioritise mental health initiatives to create lasting change. Effective policies provide the framework and resources necessary to integrate mental health education into the standard curriculum.
Leadership is equally important. Policymakers who understand and prioritise mental health can make a real difference. They can push for necessary changes and ensure schools receive increased funding, better training for school staff, and improved access to mental health services. These policies can also help create leaders in mental health education.
Professionals with an advanced understanding of education policies are best suited to pilot these initiatives. Their curriculum development and educational leadership expertise enable them to design and implement effective policies. This helps ensure a comprehensive approach to student well-being. Thanks to online EdD degree programs, more individuals can help tackle the mental health crisis in schools and colleges.
Marymount University reveals this doctoral program allows individuals to seek administrative titles like school superintendent, policymaker, nonprofit leader, and curriculum specialist. The program covers practical and theoretical leadership concepts, moral leadership aspects, and transformational leadership foundations.
Case Studies
Several schools have seen positive results from integrating mental health education into their curricula. For instance, Chelsea High School started offering Cartwheel Care, a telehealth therapy service, for their students. According to WBUR, the company employs 20 multilingual certified counsellors and child-adolescent psychiatrists.
They also offer bilingual, culturally competent therapists. Post-pandemic, over 1500 Chelsea High students approached the school therapists, with the families reporting an astonishingly high approval rate. Ayla, a 9th grader who used these services, reveals she gained coping and grounding techniques, which benefited her mental health.
Schools are noticing this and adopting more virtual telehealth services. A Chalkbeat study reveals Hazel Health, another tele-mental health service provider, is serving 13 of the country’s 20 biggest school districts. Moreover, over 2 million students across 70 districts are using this service. These stories underscore the necessity of mental health education to create a more supportive and productive learning environment.
Challenges and Future Considerations
While the benefits of mental health education are clear, there are challenges to its implementation. Funding is a major handicap, as many schools are without capital to hire mental health professionals or train existing faculty. Additionally, there is often an objection to change from those who do not see mental health as a priority.
To overcome these challenges, advocate for increased funding and support at both the state and federal levels. Likewise, the importance of comprehensive policies that provide schools with the necessary resources to implement mental health programs cannot be understated. Schools can create a more inclusive environment that supports all students by prioritizing mental health education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How can parents support their child’s mental health in school?
Parents can influence their kids’ mental health by staying involved in their school life, communicating about mental health, and seeking professional help when needed. Encourage healthy habits like exercise and sleep. Finally, teach them coping strategies for stress, anger, and anxiety.
Q2. What is the difference between mental health education and counselling services in schools?
Mental health education focuses on teaching students about emotional well-being, stress management, and recognizing mental health issues. Counselling services, on the other hand, provide individualised support to students experiencing specific mental health challenges, offering professional guidance and intervention.
Q3. Do teachers benefit from mental health training programs?
Yes. Teachers benefit from mental health training by gaining skills to identify early signs of mental distress in students. These programs also equip teachers with strategies to manage classroom behaviours and create a more supportive learning environment. Moreover, the programs help improve their emotional resilience.
Mental health education is a vital component of a well-rounded curriculum. Schools can help students develop skills for navigating life’s challenges by teaching them about mental health. When policymakers and schools prioritise mental wellness, students develop better coping skills and emotional resilience. These traits help them excel in school and life.
It’s time to prioritise mental health education in our schools to foster a healthier, more resilient future generation. Every day without proper mental health support puts more students at risk. Together, we can create schools that nurture academic success and emotional well-being.
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