Mental Health Resources for Adolescents
Most everyone that you meet that attended public middle schools will have a tale of how bad middle school was for them. There are those that discuss puberty, growth, and body changes and then there are those that faced bullying, dysphoria in their own sexuality, or the development of their sense of self. These stories are so common, but there is little question of “could we make it better?”
Mental health is critical in adolescent development both emotionally and physically. Disparaged mental health can lead to difficulties that will impact a student’s life drastically through adulthood if not properly nurtured. Studies have shown that 1 in every 5 [20%] students have diagnosable behavioral and emotional disorders and that 1 in 10 [10%] have mental health issues that are so high risk that they become detrimental to their abilities to function with the world around them both academically and in their home environments (Kessler). These statistics may appear small, but when thought of as percentages, it is alarming how common it is for these students to go untreated or accommodated with diagnosable mental and behavioral issues.
So, the question is what is being done about these alarming statistics? Currently, the general population of public middle and high schools offers the availability of 1-3 counselors dependent on the ratio of the school. But, with middle schools typically housing 600+ students, and studies finding that 20% are dealing with undiagnosed mental health issues, that seems like a highly inadequate resource. Another problem that is faced is the lack of counselors for hire in lower socioeconomic schools, at East Alexander Middle School in Hiddenite, NC there are currently 609 students in attendance. The elementary schools that are sent to this middle school lie in the lower-income areas of the county, which could show a higher risk for difficult homelife situations that could encourage the development of poor mental health in these adolescents. Offered at this middle school, there is one main counselor available to students. This counselor has a schedule of alternating days with other schools in the county, which means that on some school days students actually have zero access to any form of professional mental health services.
What can we do? States do not offer proper funding for mental health resources, and it shows within the public school systems. There is debate on whether it should be the education system’s responsibility to provide resources like this, but it may be the only resource available to students. Students are bound to the education system, at least until they are 16, by law. If this is going to be the constant in our children’s lives, should they not hold some responsibility for providing resources of all kinds? We offer school nurses, athletic trainers, and disciplinary specifications to students. Should we not also protect their mental health and treat it like it is as important as their physical body? We constantly have changes implemented for dietary resources to be beneficial to students, so should we not also concern ourselves with their mental health? It is not just a suggestion; it is an obligation.
References:
https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/north-carolina/east-alexander-middle-262292
