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Addressing Mental Health in Schools: Top Tips and How to Implement

by Connie Warren on Dec 15, 2023 9:00:00 AM

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Recent surveys and studies have shown a concerning rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among students. Factors like social isolation, remote learning, and disrupted routines contribute to this crisis. For example, a 2021 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that mental health-related emergency department visits increased by nearly 31% among teenagers during the height of the pandemic compared to the same period in 2019. Schools, being central to children's daily lives, are uniquely positioned to address this crisis. Here's a look at what's being done and how schools can get involved.

Implementing Mental Health Screenings and Services

One significant step is the implementation of regular mental health screenings, as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. These screenings for anxiety and depression should be integrated into the school health programs for students aged 8 to 18. By identifying issues early, schools can provide timely interventions. To facilitate this, schools need to establish partnerships with mental health professionals who can help conduct these screenings and provide necessary care.

At the present time, implementing mental health screenings and services in schools appears to be more of a recommendation for best practices rather than a federal directive. The approach to mental health in schools varies widely across states and is subject to ongoing debates and legislative actions.

In some states, efforts are being made to establish mental health screening programs in schools. For instance, Colorado has passed a bill to create a mental health screening program for students in grades 6 through 12, pending the governor's signature. Delaware has also introduced a comprehensive mental health package, which includes developing a process to screen and identify school-aged youth in need of mental health services. These initiatives suggest a growing awareness of mental health challenges faced by students and a desire to address them through school-based programs​.
 
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Other ways to support

Training Educators and Staff

Programs like Classroom WISE provide educators with practical, evidence-based strategies to support student mental health. This includes fostering a safe classroom environment, teaching emotional self-regulation, and recognizing signs of distress in students. Schools should encourage their staff to participate in such training programs to better equip them to address mental health issues in the classroom. Another specific example is trauma-informed care training: 
 

  • Trauma-Informed Care

    • Definition: Trauma-informed care is an approach that acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and understands the potential paths for recovery.
    • Key Components: Safety assessments, staff training on trauma awareness, and mechanisms for student support.
    • Impact: Schools that have incorporated trauma-informed care into their instructional materials report an overall improvement in school climate and student well-being.
    • Further Reading: Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative

Peer Support Initiatives

Given that adolescents often turn to their peers for support, it's crucial to educate students on basic mental health skills. Initiatives like the National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s conversation cards enable students to talk about sensitive issues like suicide and mental health in a safe and informed manner. Schools can integrate these resources into their health education curriculum to empower students to support each other. Another way to educate students is through emotional intelligence training: 
 

  • Emotional Intelligence Training

      • Definition: Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as those of others.
      • Key Components: Empathy exercises, conflict resolution skills, and emotional self-assessment.
      • Impact: Research indicates that emotional intelligence training can improve interpersonal relationships among students, reduce incidents of bullying, and enhance academic performance.

Utilizing Telehealth Services

The expansion of telehealth services has opened new avenues for delivering mental health care to students. Schools can partner with organizations that provide telehealth services, allowing students to access mental health professionals remotely. This can be particularly beneficial for schools in areas with a shortage of mental health providers. An example service telehealth might provide is mindfulness exercises: 
 

  • Mindfulness Exercises

    • Definition: Mindfulness refers to the practice of focusing one's awareness on the present moment while acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
    • Key Components: Breathing exercises, guided meditation, and sensory focus activities.
    • Impact: Studies have shown that incorporating mindfulness exercises into instructional materials has led to reductions in student stress and anxiety levels.
    • Further Reading: Mindfulness in Schools Project

How to Get Started: Action Steps for Schools

  1. Assess Current Capabilities: Schools should start by evaluating their current mental health services and identifying gaps. This includes assessing the availability of counselors, psychologists, and other mental health resources.
  2. Seek Partnerships and Funding: Collaboration with local health agencies, mental health organizations, and seeking grants can provide the necessary support and resources for implementing these initiatives.
  3. Train and Educate Staff: Invest in the professional development of teachers and staff to make them effective first responders to mental health issues.
  4. Engage the School Community: Involve parents, students, and the wider community in the conversation about mental health. This not only raises awareness but also helps in creating a supportive environment for students.
  5. Monitor and Adapt: Continuously monitor the effectiveness of these initiatives and be open to making adjustments as needed. This could involve soliciting feedback from students, staff, and parents.
By adopting these strategies, schools can play a pivotal role in addressing the mental health crisis among children and adolescents. It's a commitment that requires time, resources, and a community-wide effort, but the benefits of a mentally healthy student body are immeasurable.
 

Enhancing School Connectedness

Research underscores the importance of school connectedness – the feeling among students that adults and peers in their school community care about their well-being and success. Schools can foster this by improving classroom management, promoting service-learning opportunities, and ensuring a supportive environment for all students, including those from marginalized communities. The CDC’s What Works in Schools program offers valuable guidance and funding opportunities for schools looking to make such changes.

The Importance of Consistent Relationships in Learning

Consistent relationships can serve as an anchor for all students, but especially those experiencing tumultuous times. BookNook offers a way to establish such relationships through its In-house Delivery and Virtual Tutor Service options. A stable, reliable tutor can provide not just academic support but also serve as an emotional touchpoint, thus contributing positively to a student's mental health.

quote: Children who do well despite serious hardship have at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult. National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2015).
 
The post-pandemic world demands innovative, effective, and empathetic approaches to tackle the escalating mental health concerns among students. Educators have a pivotal role in implementing meaningful support. By staying informed and adopting grounded-in-research methodologies, schools can help turn the tide and offer a healthier, more supportive learning environment for their students.
 

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Topics: Instructional Strategies & Interventions Education Policy & Funding

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