The Importance of Mental Health Support at School

Your child spends approximately 35 hours at school per week.

That may be more time than they spend at home, and yet, you may still be questioning the importance of mental health in schools.

Even if you already know the importance of mental health in schools, your child may not have the resources they need yet.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), one in six youth have a mental health condition like depression or anxiety.

However, only half of the children identified with a mental health condition actually get the help they need.

Mental health access IS important within school systems, and NAMI also concluded that untreated mental health illnesses can lead to increased high school dropout rates.

When children have a team of professionals working with them to help support their mental health, there is hope to improve mental health conditions among kids.

Mental health conditions like depression can lead to suicide, and according to NAMI, the second leading cause of death among people, ages 10 to 34, is suicide.

Mental health services in schools can lead to suicide prevention by providing students with education about warning signs to look out for, how to ask for help, and strategies to encourage healthier ways of dealing with intense emotions or situations, according to Denver teen therapist, Lauren Battista.

Since children are spending most of their day at school, supportive resources in place can vastly improve the mental health and overall well-being of kids.

When the barriers of student mental health are lessened, mental health can be improved among kids, entire families, and communities.

Treatment may be necessary for several members of a family, and school-linked mental health services can create connections, especially for underserved communities.

When families and children don’t have access to resources, it can prolong a treatment plan for a mental health issue, which can lead to costly outcomes and delayed help for people who need it most.

Early intervention can be helpful with overall mental well being of kids.

These can be complex issues that may not be fixed right away, but it is possible to put solutions in place and take a more proactive approach to getting kids the help they need.

Some solutions can include; early detection of mental health conditions and mental illness in children by professionals who know and care, removing barriers of transportation, and improving equitable access for all communities.

The professionals who support your child throughout their school day can help detect signs that impact behavioral health.

How are these solutions possible?

Read More: “Understanding Common Mental Health Challenges Faced By Teens”

It may mean that if a service is not available inside a school, a child can get access to mental health services outside of school from a specialty provider.

This can also translate to telehealth services if transportation is an issue for a child.

Additionally, according to Battista, many schools contract with outside mental health providers who can meet with kids during the school day if deemed appropriate and necessary.

Access to mental health has been growing alongside the mental health demand each year, and according to Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), 96% of public schools have a system in place to provide mental health services to students.

When it is not possible to get the help your child needs at school, it can be helpful to explore other options, especially if you have the funding available.

Though it can be important to have access to mental health services within schools, these systems may not be perfect.

Taking the first step to initiate contact for a better understanding of the resources available within your child’s school can be helpful. Often, you can do this by reaching out to the school’s counseling department to set up a time to ask questions.

Getting help can mean that your child can work through anxiety, depression, executive functioning skills, sensory processing skills, or another mental health condition that is preventing them from growing and learning.

So, as the need for mental health services increases, it can be important to not access mental health perfectly but rather access the systems in a way that can most benefit the child in your life.

Read More: “From Middle School To High School: A Parent’s Guide To Smooth Transitions”

Creative solutions, an open mind, and advocacy can all be beneficial when you are looking for ways to help improve mental health.

Mental health within schools can be complicated, and Denver Metro Counseling’s teen therapists can help. You may be the biggest cheerleader for your child, and we can help support you and your teen with your own mental health.

We provide teen counseling, adults, families, individuals, and young adults. With our trauma-informed approach, you can get a fresh start with your mental health. Your journey can begin now.

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Written by: Randi Thackeray, MA
Clinically Reviewed and Edited by: Julie Reichenberger, MA, LPC, ACS, NCC and Lauren Battista, LPC, LSC, NCC