School Mental Health: Startling Statistics
Schools are looked upon as a safe space to provide prevention, assessment, early detection and intervention of mental health services. Schools can be the first place of treatment for students in need of mental health services. When collaboration between school administration, families, and mental health providers occurs, students have the ability to acquire their educational and mental health needs. Pre and post COVID-19, student mental health concerns have been on the rise, impeding academic functioning. Students who do not receive early detection, assessment, and linkage to proper mental health treatment are at an increased risk for lost educational opportunities due to school dropout, incarceration, or early death, such as by suicide. This article will provide insight into the alarming mental health statistics affecting our youth.
According to the Association for Children’s Mental Health, one in five children and youth have a diagnosable emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder. One in ten young people have a mental health challenge that is severe enough to impair how they function at home, school, or in the community. As many as 80% of children do not receive the mental healthcare they need.
In 2019, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released updated statistics about children’s mental health. They reported that suicide rates for person’s 10-14 nearly TRIPLED from 2007-2017 and persons 15-19, suicide surpassed the homicide rate.
Preliminary data was collected during the pandemic regarding youth mental health struggles during this time. Although data is still being collected by the CDC, as of June 2020, initial survey results indicate that suicidal ideation is up by a 15% increase from 2018. Currently, one in four teens are reporting this.
As the pandemic continues and student mental health needs increase, I encourage all teachers, school mental health providers, administrators and clinicians to stay informed of these startling statistics. Our knowledge will improve our assessments and interventions we provide to our youth in and out of school. Stressors, such as the pandemic, have increased student vulnerability to becoming disengaged from their peers, teachers, education, and mental health treatment. We need to continue to provide informed practices and stay prepared as we plan for post-pandemic care. Schools will continue to be at the forefront of the intersection between education and mental health.
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