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Professional development
 

emotional and behavioral disorders, at-risk students, student psychology

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools

by Nancy Barile, Award-Winning Teacher, M.A.Ed.

That kid who looks depressed might have more challenges than you could guess.
Mental health awareness is an important issue for all educators, who are often the first line of defense for their
students. Education professionals have recognized the impact that a student's mental health has on learning and
achievement, and they realize that there's a great deal that can be done to help students with mental health
issues. As a high school teacher with more than 23 years of experience, I welcome the fact that mental health
awareness is finally becoming an important part of a school's function and curriculum.

Seeing the Signs in My Student

A few years ago, a student in my senior class changed drastically in a short period of time. I noticed that
Melina no longer did her homework, and she didn't even try on her essays. Previously meticulous in her
appearance, Melina would come to school disheveled, wearing the same clothes. When I tried to speak to her,
she was uncharacteristically distant and withdrawn. Because I had some training in mental health awareness, I
knew Melina was in some sort of trouble.

Luckily, my school had social workers on staff who could speak to Melina and assess her issues. They
discovered that Melina was depressed and suicidal, and she needed an immediate psychiatric intervention.
Melina was hospitalized for a period of time, but she was able to return to my classroom a few months later.
With the help of medication and therapy, she managed to graduate with her class.

Understanding the Impact

The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that one in five people live with some sort of mental
disorder or disease. Despite the fact that the average age of early signs of mental illness is 14, most individuals
don't seek help until adulthood. Underlining the seriousness is the fact that 60 percent of high school students
with mental illness don't graduate.

Further reading: Ease Student Anxiety in the Classroom

New York mental health experts recognized that earlier intervention could result in more positive outcomes for
these students. Beginning in July 2018, New York will be the first state in the nation to require mental health
education for all students. The overall mission of New York's School Mental Health (SMH) program  is to
promote healthy social, emotional, and behavioral development of students, and "break down barriers to
learning so the general well-being of students, families, and school staff can be enhanced in collaboration with
other comprehensive student support and services."
The SMH program supports the emotional health and academic growth of all students with the following:

 Integrating comprehensive services and support throughout every grade level

 Assessing mental health needs through universal, selective, and targeted interventions
 Providing access to behavioral and mental health services and programs
 Leveraging higher-level personnel, such as those working with the Department of Education, for
necessary support and services
 Building collaborative relationships between the school and students' families and communities

Spreading Awareness Across the Nation

Until mental health education is a mandatory aspect of all schools, teachers and administrators can work to
promote awareness with their students. Key elements to shine a light on include the concept of self-care and
responsibility for one's own mental health and wellness, with an emphasis on the fact that mental health is an
integral part of health, and the concept of recovery from mental illness.

Teachers and students should be provided with ways to recognize signs of developing mental health problems,
and there should be opportunities around the awareness and management of mental health crises, including the
risk of suicide or self-harm. Further, instruction should address the relationship between mental health,
substance abuse, and other negative coping behaviors, as well as the negative impact of stigma and cultural
attitudes toward mental illness.

Further reading: Social-Emotional Learning

Because teens spend most of their day at school, it just makes sense to have mental health awareness and
education become part of the curriculum. When we empower students with knowledge, and encourage
dialogue, students will be able to get the help they need.

SHAREFOLLOW

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The resources to thrive—and the laughs to survive—as an educator.

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SHAREFOLLOW

Professional development
 

emotional and behavioral disorders, at-risk students, student psychology

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools

by Nancy Barile, Award-Winning Teacher, M.A.Ed.

That kid who looks depressed might have more challenges than you could guess.

Mental health awareness is an important issue for all educators, who are often the first line of defense for their
students. Education professionals have recognized the impact that a student's mental health has on learning and
achievement, and they realize that there's a great deal that can be done to help students with mental health
issues. As a high school teacher with more than 23 years of experience, I welcome the fact that mental health
awareness is finally becoming an important part of a school's function and curriculum.
Seeing the Signs in My Student

A few years ago, a student in my senior class changed drastically in a short period of time. I noticed that
Melina no longer did her homework, and she didn't even try on her essays. Previously meticulous in her
appearance, Melina would come to school disheveled, wearing the same clothes. When I tried to speak to her,
she was uncharacteristically distant and withdrawn. Because I had some training in mental health awareness, I
knew Melina was in some sort of trouble.

Luckily, my school had social workers on staff who could speak to Melina and assess her issues. They
discovered that Melina was depressed and suicidal, and she needed an immediate psychiatric intervention.
Melina was hospitalized for a period of time, but she was able to return to my classroom a few months later.
With the help of medication and therapy, she managed to graduate with her class.

Understanding the Impact

The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that one in five people live with some sort of mental
disorder or disease. Despite the fact that the average age of early signs of mental illness is 14, most individuals
don't seek help until adulthood. Underlining the seriousness is the fact that 60 percent of high school students
with mental illness don't graduate.

Further reading: Ease Student Anxiety in the Classroom

New York mental health experts recognized that earlier intervention could result in more positive outcomes for
these students. Beginning in July 2018, New York will be the first state in the nation to require mental health
education for all students. The overall mission of New York's School Mental Health (SMH) program  is to
promote healthy social, emotional, and behavioral development of students, and "break down barriers to
learning so the general well-being of students, families, and school staff can be enhanced in collaboration with
other comprehensive student support and services."

The SMH program supports the emotional health and academic growth of all students with the following:

 Integrating comprehensive services and support throughout every grade level

 Assessing mental health needs through universal, selective, and targeted interventions
 Providing access to behavioral and mental health services and programs
  Leveraging higher-level personnel, such as those working with the Department of Education, for
necessary support and services
 Building collaborative relationships between the school and students' families and communities

Spreading Awareness Across the Nation

Until mental health education is a mandatory aspect of all schools, teachers and administrators can work to
promote awareness with their students. Key elements to shine a light on include the concept of self-care and
responsibility for one's own mental health and wellness, with an emphasis on the fact that mental health is an
integral part of health, and the concept of recovery from mental illness.

Teachers and students should be provided with ways to recognize signs of developing mental health problems,
and there should be opportunities around the awareness and management of mental health crises, including the
risk of suicide or self-harm. Further, instruction should address the relationship between mental health,
substance abuse, and other negative coping behaviors, as well as the negative impact of stigma and cultural
attitudes toward mental illness.

Further reading: Social-Emotional Learning

Because teens spend most of their day at school, it just makes sense to have mental health awareness and
education become part of the curriculum. When we empower students with knowledge, and encourage
dialogue, students will be able to get the help they need.

SHAREFOLLOW

Recommended


o

New Year, New Teacher: How and Why to Limit Your New Year
Goals
Learn more ›
o

Productive Ideas for Teacher Lunch Breaks

Learn more ›

o
 What Are the Best (and Worst) Teacher Gifts to Give?
Learn more ›
Related
 Professional development
New Year, New Teacher: How and Why to Limit Your New Year Goals
 Professional development
When Should Teachers Feel Comfortable Asking for Help?
 Professional development
WGU Teachers College Learning Community
Sign Up
Name *

Email *

By submitting you will receive emails from Hey Teach! and can opt-out at any time.

Follow us
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
 


 


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Powered by your friends at The resources to thrive—and the laughs to survive—as an educator. Menu
SHAREFOLLOW Professional development emotional and behavioral disorders, at-risk students, student
psychology The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools by Nancy Barile, Award-Winning Teacher,
M.A.Ed. That kid who looks depressed might have more challenges than you could guess. Mental health
awareness is an important issue for all educators, who are often the first line of defense for their students.
Education professionals have recognized the impact that a student's mental health has on learning and
achievement, and they realize that there's a great deal that can be done to help students with mental health
issues. As a high school teacher with more than 23 years of experience, I welcome the fact that mental health
awareness is finally becoming an important part of a school's function and curriculum. Seeing the Signs in My
Student A few years ago, a student in my senior class changed drastically in a short period of time. I noticed
that Melina no longer did her homework, and she didn't even try on her essays. Previously meticulous in her
appearance, Melina would come to school disheveled, wearing the same clothes. When I tried to speak to
her, she was uncharacteristically distant and withdrawn. Because I had some training in mental health
awareness, I knew Melina was in some sort of trouble. Luckily, my school had social workers on staff who
could speak to Melina and assess her issues. They discovered that Melina was depressed and suicidal, and
she needed an immediate psychiatric intervention. Melina was hospitalized for a period of time, but she was
able to return to my classroom a few months later. With the help of medication and therapy, she managed to
graduate with her class. Understanding the Impact The National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates that one
in five people live with some sort of mental disorder or disease. Despite the fact that the average age of early
signs of mental illness is 14, most individuals don't seek help until adulthood. Underlining the seriousness is
the fact that 60 percent of high school students with mental illness don't graduate. Further reading: Ease
Student Anxiety in the Classroom New York mental health experts recognized that earlier intervention could
result in more positive outcomes for these students. Beginning in July 2018, New York will be the first state in
the nation to require mental health education for all students. The overall mission of New York's School
Mental Health (SMH) program is to promote healthy social, emotional, and behavioral development of
students, and "break down barriers to learning so the general well-being of students, families, and school
staff can be enhanced in collaboration with other comprehensive student support and services." The SMH
program supports the emotional health and academic growth of all students with the following: Integrating
comprehensive services and support throughout every grade level Assessing mental health needs through
universal, selective, and targeted interventions Providing access to behavioral and mental health services and
programs Leveraging higher-level personnel, such as those working with the Department of Education, for
necessary support and services Building collaborative relationships between the school and students' families
and communities Spreading Awareness Across the Nation Until mental health education is a mandatory
aspect of all schools, teachers and administrators can work to promote awareness with their students. Key
elements to shine a light on include the concept of self-care and responsibility for one's own mental health
and wellness, with an emphasis on the fact that mental health is an integral part of health, and the concept
of recovery from mental illness. Teachers and students should be provided with ways to recognize signs of
developing mental health problems, and there should be opportunities around the awareness and
management of mental health crises, including the risk of suicide or self-harm. Further, instruction should
address the relationship between mental health, substance abuse, and other negative coping behaviors, as
well as the negative impact of stigma and cultural attitudes toward mental illness. Further reading: Social-
Emotional Learning Because teens spend most of their day at school, it just makes sense to have mental
health awareness and education become part of the curriculum. When we empower students with
knowledge, and encourage dialogue, students will be able to get the help they need.   SHAREFOLLOW
Recommended New Year, New Teacher: How and Why to Limit Your New Year Goals Learn more › Productive
Ideas for Teacher Lunch Breaks Learn more › What Are the Best (and Worst) Teacher Gifts to Give? Learn
more › Related Professional development New Year, New Teacher: How and Why to Limit Your New Year
Goals Professional development When Should Teachers Feel Comfortable Asking for Help? Professional
development WGU Teachers College Learning Community Sign Up Name * Email * By submitting you will
receive emails from Hey Teach! and can opt-out at any time. Follow us Powered by your friends at WGU
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES © Western Governors University — WGU. All Rights
Reserved.  Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us  |  About In your inbox Name * Email * No thanks.
Continue to Hey Teach! Powered by your friends at The resources to thrive—and the laughs to survive—as an
educator. Menu SHAREFOLLOW Professional development emotional and behavioral disorders, at-risk
students, student psychology The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools by Nancy Barile, Award-
Winning Teacher, M.A.Ed. That kid who looks depressed might have more challenges than you could guess.
Mental health awareness is an important issue for all educators, who are often the first line of defense for
their students. Education professionals have recognized the impact that a student's mental health has on
learning and achievement, and they realize that there's a great deal that can be done to help students with
mental health issues. As a high school teacher with more than 23 years of experience, I welcome the fact that
mental health awareness is finally becoming an important part of a school's function and curriculum. Seeing
the Signs in My Student A few years ago, a student in my senior class changed drastically in a short period of
time. I noticed that Melina no longer did her homework, and she didn't even try on her essays. Previously
meticulous in her appearance, Melina would come to school disheveled, wearing the same clothes. When I
tried to speak to her, she was uncharacteristically distant and withdrawn. Because I had some training in
mental health awareness, I knew Melina was in some sort of trouble. Luckily, my school had social workers
on staff who could speak to Melina and assess her issues. They discovered that Melina was depressed and
suicidal, and she needed an immediate psychiatric intervention. Melina was hospitalized for a period of time,
but she was able to return to my classroom a few months later. With the help of medication and therapy, she
managed to graduate with her class. Understanding the Impact The National Alliance on Mental Illness
estimates that one in five people live with some sort of mental disorder or disease. Despite the fact that the
average age of early signs of mental illness is 14, most individuals don't seek help until adulthood.
Underlining the seriousness is the fact that 60 percent of high school students with mental illness don't
graduate. Further reading: Ease Student Anxiety in the Classroom New York mental health experts recognized
that earlier intervention could result in more positive outcomes for these students. Beginning in July 2018,
New York will be the first state in the nation to require mental health education for all students. The overall
mission of New York's School Mental Health (SMH) program is to promote healthy social, emotional, and
behavioral development of students, and "break down barriers to learning so the general well-being of
students, families, and school staff can be enhanced in collaboration with other comprehensive student
support and services." The SMH program supports the emotional health and academic growth of all students
with the following: Integrating comprehensive services and support throughout every grade level Assessing
mental health needs through universal, selective, and targeted interventions Providing access to behavioral
and mental health services and programs Leveraging higher-level personnel, such as those working with the
Department of Education, for necessary support and services Building collaborative relationships between
the school and students' families and communities Spreading Awareness Across the Nation Until mental
health education is a mandatory aspect of all schools, teachers and administrators can work to promote
awareness with their students. Key elements to shine a light on include the concept of self-care and
responsibility for one's own mental health and wellness, with an emphasis on the fact that mental health is
an integral part of health, and the concept of recovery from mental illness. Teachers and students should be
provided with ways to recognize signs of developing mental health problems, and there should be
opportunities around the awareness and management of mental health crises, including the risk of suicide or
self-harm. Further, instruction should address the relationship between mental health, substance abuse, and
other negative coping behaviors, as well as the negative impact of stigma and cultural attitudes toward
mental illness. Further reading: Social-Emotional Learning Because teens spend most of their day at school, it
just makes sense to have mental health awareness and education become part of the curriculum. When we
empower students with knowledge, and encourage dialogue, students will be able to get the help they need.
SHAREFOLLOW Recommended New Year, New Teacher: How and Why to Limit Your New Year Goals Learn
more › Productive Ideas for Teacher Lunch Breaks Learn more › What Are the Best (and Worst) Teacher Gifts
to Give? Learn more › Related Professional development New Year, New Teacher: How and Why to Limit
Your New Year Goals Professional development When Should Teachers Feel Comfortable Asking for Help?
Professional development WGU Teachers College Learning Community Sign Up Name * Email * By submitting
you will receive emails from Hey Teach! and can opt-out at any time. Follow us Powered by your friends at
WGU INFORMATION AND RESOURCES © Western Governors University — WGU. All Rights
Reserved.  Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us  |  About In your inbox Name * Email * No thanks.
Continue to Hey Teach! ShareThis Copy and Paste