Part of growing up in America is the necessity for education and the obligation to attend some type of school through the duration of one’s adolescence. The education system in America is comprised of a plethora of schools that each act as a microcosm of the community in which they serve. Cambridge International School explains “Schools today are not just classrooms, buildings, playgrounds, resources – digital and physical, students, parents, teachers, caretakers independent of each other, but a space where all these and more come together to interact and co-exist.” A school is like its own ecosystem (community of living organisms and nonliving components in an environment), because of the interactions between nonliving and living components. Since young people spend a significant amount of time in educational settings, schools are in a unique position that enables them to facilitate and provide consistent access to mental health support services. Youth are almost as likely to receive mental health services in an education setting as they are to receive treatment from a specialty mental health provider; in 2019, 15% of adolescents aged 12-17 reported receiving mental health services at school, compared to 17% who saw a specialty provider. There are different ways school districts may implement school-based mental health services (e.g., hiring school-based therapists or social workers, provide access to prevention programming, early identification of mental health challenges, treatment options, etc.). Some schools choose to collaborate with community partners (e.g., mental health organizations and/ or agencies) to create an integrated and comprehensive program of support that may include one or more of the following components:
- Evidence-based programs that address and enhance student skills in navigating interpersonal conflicts (e.g., bullying), boost problem-solving abilities, cultivate healthy peer relationships, engage in activities to prevent suicide and substance use, etc.
- Treatment programs and services that address the various mental health needs of students.
- Student and family supports and resources.
- Educate and train teachers and other student support staff to recognize the early warning signs of mental health issues with students.
- A referral process to ensure that all students have equal access to services and supports.
- Early intervention services for students in need of additional support.
School-based mental health programs help nurture a school climate that is comfortable talking about and addressing emotional health, which helps to minimize the stigma often associated with receiving mental health treatment.
For Information and Support
Every family in need of mental health treatment must select a program that will best suit the needs of their family. When one member of a family struggles, it impacts everyone in the family unit. To maximize the benefits of treatment we work closely with the entire family to ensure that everyone is receiving the support they need through these difficult times. Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know needs mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person’s life, long term. Pursuing support at the beginning of one’s journey can put the individual in the best position to learn how to manage themselves in a healthy way so they can go on to live happy and fulfilling lives.
OUR KNOWLEDGEABLE ADMISSIONS TEAM CAN BE REACHED 24/7 AT INFO@PACIFICRTC.COM OR CALL: 800-531-5769
