Help for mental health offered in our schools

I will never forget my first year of teaching when one of my students shared with me that he was having a rough time and wanted to hurt himself.

I was not sure what to do, so I went down to the school counselor to share what the student had told me. The counselor called the student down and then contacted his mom to talk about help that was available.

The next day, the student came into my classroom, walked up to me, and said: “Thanks a lot! Now they think I’m going to kill myself!” That statement was followed up with about a month of the silent treatment.

I felt so defeated because I questioned whether I did the right thing or simply ruined a student’s life. After about a month of him not speaking to me, he came into my classroom one day, shook my hand, and said ,“Thank you! You have no idea how close I was to killing myself.”

It has been 20 years since that moment, but I will never forget his words, his name or his face.

I do not tell you that story because I want praise or a pat on the back, but I tell you because right now, we have so many kids hurting just like he was. The mental health situation is at a critical stage, and we need all hands on deck.

I think most of us grew up in a world where you did not talk about mental health and you were told to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” and get moving.

The challenge with this thinking is we are not wired like that. Some children are not able to respond in that manner, and as a result, it could create a mental health crisis.

I used to think that mental health issues impacting children were connected to dysfunctional home lives, but I can tell you from personal experience that it hits all of us, no matter what your home life is like. Currently the anxiety that is plaguing many of our kids is at a critical stage, and it is not easy to navigate it by yourself, as a parent, or as an educator.

I write this article to highlight two important points:

1 — You could be someone’s protector and 2 — You are not alone. When that student walked into my classroom 20 years ago, I had no idea what he was going to say to me, but I listened and reacted in a manner that was able to connect him with the necessary resources he needed.

In our society, needing help with mental health is often viewed as a negative thing, but we must fight against that stigma and bring to light that this is a real problem.

So many of us are dealing with similar issues with our kids, and it is OK not to have the answers and to reach out for help.

The hardest part of getting help is to take that first step and ask for it.

There are many agencies and services available for people of all ages, but if you have kids, schools can be a great resource.

Schools are equipped with school counselors, outside counseling agencies, school social workers, school psychologists, etc., who are ready to help and, when needed, connect students and families with available resources and services.

We are here to help, not judge. If you know someone who is hurting or struggling, it is important to serve as a support and advocate for them.

You never know the impact you might make on a person’s life.

The hardest part of getting help is to take that first step and ask for it. The people who work in schools are here to help, not to judge.

Mental health and suicide prevention resources

• ruOK Berks — 1-888-2193910 or 610-379-2007

• Suicide Prevention and Crisis Support — Dial 988

Netznik