Tackling the Mental Health Crisis in Schools
October 16, 2023
America's adolescents today are sadder, more anxious, and lonelier than previous generations, as part of what the U.S. Surgeon General has called "the defining public health crisis of our time." The dire state of teen and child mental health is prompting schools to step up in big ways.
Two-thirds of schools have added to their mental health service offerings since the start of the pandemic, and more than a quarter have added classes on social, emotional, and mental well-being, federal data show.
The limited availability of mental health professionals and inconsistent funding, however, continue to throw up barriers to schools that want to expand their array of mental health services for students who might otherwise have no access.
This special report delves into the reasons why adolescents鈥� mental health has been growing worse鈥攑articularly for LGBTQ+ youth鈥攁s well as the difficulties schools face. But it also offers some hope, with more schools squarely focused on doing what they can to address this problem, and on the well-being of their employees: America鈥檚 teachers, whose well-being鈥攐r lack thereof鈥攎atters for their students.
Two-thirds of schools have added to their mental health service offerings since the start of the pandemic, and more than a quarter have added classes on social, emotional, and mental well-being, federal data show.
The limited availability of mental health professionals and inconsistent funding, however, continue to throw up barriers to schools that want to expand their array of mental health services for students who might otherwise have no access.
This special report delves into the reasons why adolescents鈥� mental health has been growing worse鈥攑articularly for LGBTQ+ youth鈥攁s well as the difficulties schools face. But it also offers some hope, with more schools squarely focused on doing what they can to address this problem, and on the well-being of their employees: America鈥檚 teachers, whose well-being鈥攐r lack thereof鈥攎atters for their students.
Student Well-Being Why America Has a Youth Mental Health Crisis, and How Schools Can HelpSchools are on the front lines of what the U.S. Surgeon General has called 鈥渢he defining public health crisis of our time.鈥�
Student Well-Being Rural Districts Get Creative Amid a Spike in Students鈥� Mental Health NeedsRural districts don't have the same resources as more urban districts to scale up mental health services despite similar levels of need.
Student Well-Being Cellphone Bans Can Ease Students' Stress and Anxiety, Educators SayMinimizing distractions has been a common motivation for schools to limit phone use, but improving students鈥� mental health has been another.
Teaching Profession From Our Research Center Teachers鈥� Stress Trickles Down to Students. Here's What Schools Are Doing About ItThe past few years in the classroom have been grueling. But there are things districts can do to help teachers. Here are some examples.
Student Well-Being 鈥業 Definitely Struggle With My Mental Health鈥�: LGBTQ+ Students Share Their StoriesLGBTQ+ young people fare worse when it comes to their mental health. Three young adults open up about their struggles. Read their stories below.Student Well-Being In Their Own Words 鈥楳y School鈥檚 GSA Saved My Life鈥�Esm茅e Silverman came to the realization that they were transgender in high school, but thought about suicide constantly during their freshman year.
Student Well-Being In Their Own Words Mental Health Challenges 鈥楥ome With the Territory鈥�Imani Sims says it's rare to come across fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community who do not have difficulties with their mental health.
Student Well-Being In Their Own Words At School, 鈥楳y Safety Didn鈥檛 Feel Like the Priority鈥�For Landon Callahan, mental health challenges and substance use became easier to manage once he came out as a transgender man.
Student Well-Being From Our Research Center Students Are Missing School Because They're Too Anxious to Show UpStudents regularly miss school because of anxiety, depression, and sadness, according to a recent EdWeek Research Center survey.
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