Mental health issues are a growing concern in schools, but they’re not being addressed as they should be. Students who experience mental health problems often miss school or drop out altogether, which can lead to other problems later on in life. Here’s what you need to know about mental health issues in schools and how we can address them:
Students with mental health issues are more likely to drop out of high school.
Students with mental health issues are more likely to drop out of high school. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), students who drop out of high school are more likely to be unemployed, homeless, and in jail. They also have children at a younger age than those who graduate from college or complete their bachelor’s degree program.
In a survey conducted by NAMI among middle and high school students, 50% reported being depressed at some point during their lifetime; 31% had experienced an anxiety disorder; 24% had been diagnosed with an eating disorder; 11% experienced thoughts about suicide within the past year; 7% attempted suicide at least once in their lifetime–and these numbers have increased over time!
Students with mental health problems are more likely to be suspended from school.
Students with mental health problems are more likely to be suspended from school.
Studies have shown that students who are suspended from school for any reason are more likely to drop out of high school and experience other negative consequences such as poverty, unemployment or incarceration. Students who leave school early often struggle with finding work later in life because they lack the skills necessary for employment (e.g., reading). They also may have difficulty accessing social services like healthcare and housing assistance when needed due to their lack of education credentials.
Students who abuse substances are more likely to experience severe stress, depression and other emotional problems.
In addition to the potential for addiction, abuse of substances can lead to depression and other problems. Students who abuse substances are more likely to drop out of school. They are also at greater risk for suspension or expulsion from school, which may affect their ability to graduate on time.
Students who abuse drugs or alcohol often experience severe stress as they try to deal with their addiction while keeping up in classwork and exams. It’s not uncommon for these students’ grades or test scores to slip because they’re spending so much time using rather than studying or doing homework assignments properly
Mental health disorders among youth continue to increase in prevalence.
The prevalence of mental health disorders in youth continues to increase, according to a report released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The prevalence of mental health disorders among children and adolescents increased from 8.7% in 2011-2012 to 11.3% in 2017-2018, an increase of approximately 46%.
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people between 15 and 24 years old.
Suicide is a serious problem and it can be prevented. The second leading cause of death for people between 15 and 24 years old is suicide, with an average of 3,000 deaths each year. There are warning signs that someone may be thinking about suicide or planning to attempt it:
- Talking or writing about death or suicide
- Taking part in risky activities without thinking about the consequences (e.g., speeding in a car)
- Feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
A study found that 25 percent of students thought about suicide and 13 percent made plans to kill themselves during the previous 12 months.
The statistics are sobering. A study found that 25 percent of students thought about suicide and 13 percent made plans to kill themselves during the previous 12 months. Other studies show a correlation between mental health issues and dropping out of high school, suspension from school, as well as substance abuse problems among teens who experience severe stress or depression.
The good news is that students can be helped by simple interventions such as talking with someone they trust about their feelings; learning how to manage stress; getting enough sleep; exercising regularly; eating healthy foods; avoiding alcohol and drugs (including prescription medications); reducing screen time (iPads/phones) after 8 pm so you get enough sleep!
It’s important to be aware of mental health issues in schools.
Mental health is a serious issue. It’s important to be aware of mental health issues in schools, because they can have a negative impact on students’ academic success and overall wellbeing.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “One in five children are affected by a diagnosable mental disorder.” Students with mental disorders such as depression or anxiety are more likely than their classmates without these conditions to drop out of school, be suspended from school and abuse substances like alcohol or drugs (NAMI).
Mental health disorders among youth continue to increase in prevalence: Between 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 alone there was an 8% increase in diagnosed cases among adolescents aged 12-17 years old (Center for Disease Control & Prevention).
We hope this article has helped you understand the importance of mental health in schools. It’s crucial that we address these issues so that students can get help when they need it and stay in school until graduation day.
