Mental Health: What do Scholars Need?

Student mental health has been a topic of discussion among educators, legislators and concerned citizens for some time now.  Recently, I was asked to serve on a Mental Health Task Force with superintendents from across the state.  Our task is to make recommendations to the governor and other members of the state board of education that will positively impact school districts as we grapple to provide support for students with mental illness.

It's interesting that regardless of the type of district - rural, urban, small and large - we all essentially agree that the patchwork method of providing mental health support is not enough.  So what do our scholars need?

The Child Mind Institute reports that half of all mental illness occurs before the age of 14 and 75 percent by the age of 24.  It is estimated that at least 10 million students, ages 13-18, need some sort of professional help due to their mental health.  Depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and bipolar disorder are the most common diagnoses among children and adolescents.  Overwhelmingly, the majority of these young people do not have access to any treatment. 

These facts highlight the urgent need for school districts to create systemic approaches to address mental health.

Our scholars need access to prevention and intervention services.  The Mental Health Task Force recommends that the Alabama State Department of Education fund mental health therapists for each school system.  The International Accreditation of Counseling Services recommends staffing at a ratio of 1:1000 students.  That would mean Team Selma’s scholars would have access to 2-3 therapists within the district.

Therapists would provide mental health first aid professional development, create appropriate social emotional learning strategies, implement trauma-informed practices and create greater awareness of mental health issues through curriculum and staff training. 

To ensure that these services are connected and communicated effectively, the Task Force also recommends funding a services coordinator for each school district.  The person in this role will work closely with the therapist, DHR, the Alabama Department of Mental Health, the judicial system and family members.  The coordinator will work to prevent overlap and gaps of needed services.

Time will tell whether or not these recommendations come to fruition.  With coordinated efforts such as these, our scholars with mental health needs will be supported.  In doing so, we will increase learning time and reduce disruptions while also making our schools safer spaces for all. 

Our scholars need this but this is only one piece of a very complex puzzle.  Next week, I will explore what our teachers and staff need. 

For more information, please reach out to me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org.