Students’ mental health should be focus as school year starts

This month most students throughout Central Florida and the nation will awaken early in the morning to prepare for school.

Unlike previous years they may not travel far to hear the voice of their favorite teacher or laughter from a new friend. The tense feeling from finding somewhere to sit in the cafeteria could be replaced by simply logging off a tablet or computer. Traditional school-wide morning announcements may be replaced with newscasts highlighting the lives lost and impacted by COVID-19.

While the debate rages among politicians, parents, and teachers about which format (e.g. face to face, blended, or remote) is best for students, it is important to acknowledge that some students will struggle to adapt to time away from friends and teachers while others will thrive. Spending time isolated for some students could contribute to challenges including anxiety and depression.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 4.4 million students aged 3-17 have been diagnosed with anxiety while 1.9 million are clinically depressed. The reported numbers could be much higher now because of the stressors students experienced since the nation shut down in March.

This could be particularly true for Black and Latinx students because their communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Family members are more likely to be essential workers, experience job loss, and illnesses associated with the disease.

For some students, they may have spent time attempting to understand the death of a family member, neighbor or caregiver. It is important that administrators, teachers and school support staff show empathy during this difficult time.

In a traditional school setting, a teacher can recognize when a student is struggling to navigate or rationalize a challenge. During my time as a classroom teacher, I could see when there was an issue impacting a student’s performance in class. The ability to observe students, in person, on a daily basis may not be possible for some time. Schools will have to adopt new methods to observe and support students. The uncertainty regarding COVID-19 has forced leaders to identify ways to navigate during stormy waters. This is not likely to change. How they respond will be a true test of leadership.

One challenge will include how to assess students and provide mental health support. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) during the 2015-16 school year 71% of schools indicated they had diagnostic tools to evaluate students; while 64% suggested they offered mental health treatment options for students. Today, school leaders and mental health clinicians have to safely assess student’s needs while offering comprehensive support during a pandemic.

Because the virus has interrupted the daily lives of millions of Americans, schools are attempting to meet the needs of all students, including those that are vulnerable. It is not an easy task. For this reason, I’m offering a few suggestions that parents and schools should consider to recognize and support students in need of mental health services in a remote environment.

Parents

1. Sometimes children can hide challenges because they are uncomfortable discussing sensitive issues. For this reason, parents should be proactive and have conversations regarding anxiety and depression. Choosing to confront the issue will ensure they feel safe and assured. Ignoring mental health won’t force the problem to disappear. In fact, it could cause long-term problems.

2. Consider being honest. Since March millions of Americans have experienced anxiety and depression. Everyone has been forced to navigate the nation’s new reality. Talk to your children about how you feel. They may be more likely to discuss difficult issues if they sense that you care.

3. Make sure you communicate with the school regarding changes in behavior or other concerns. Whether your child is remote or in a blended learning environment, they still have access to important resources. Frequently parents can see when there is a problem before teachers do.

Schools

1. Ensure teachers and other staff members allow students to be transparent during classroom discussions.

2. Utilize breakout rooms to provide students with space to have important conversations in a small group setting.

3. Look for non-verbal cues that signal something may be troubling students. A change in behavior could indicate they need to speak with a member of the school’s support staff.

Adopt non-traditional approaches. Schools must be willing to be bold. We are living during unprecedented times. Innovative leaders will develop new initiatives that transform education and have a positive impact on student’s mental health.