MALVERN, PA — Are you worried about your child’s mental health? A recent report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that 20% of kids and teens have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. It also found that suicidal behaviors among high school students increased by more than 40% from 2009 to 2019. Children spend a large part of their day at school; therefore, it is important for schools to provide mental health support.
Representative Mary Jo Daley is sponsoring House Bill 1367 to improve student mental health awareness and support in schools. The bill calls for a curriculum and education for the school systems and to make sure staff and students know about the resources. It is important that we contact our local representatives to support this bill. Both students and the school system would benefit, promoting well-being and creating a stronger support system.
Chester County has twelve school districts, and each district has different resources for mental health. They have counselors, a tiered system of support, and they work with the Chester County Intermediate Unit. For example, Conestoga High School is actively improving their resources by adding mental health specialists to work with their counselors. Unionville High School uses counselors first and then checks if students need help outside the school. This shows there are differences even within the county. Imagine how much it varies across the state. This bill would provide consistency, strengthen the resources of all schools, and help students early on.
Finding and addressing mental health issues early can improve outcomes and lower costs. Schools should have a referral network or a crisis system to handle urgent situations. Getting help early can reduce emergency room visits and improve outcomes. This proactive approach would promote a healthier school environment.
Schools should create peer support networks, encourage self-care, and reduce the stigma of mental health. This can create a more positive school environment. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that it is important for teens to form good social and emotional habits. Good habits include exercise, mindfulness and managing emotions. Some kids do not learn these skills at home. Better school programs can help all students build good social and emotional habits. The WHO has training packages for teachers in other parts of the world to help protect their students’ mental health.
Building stronger support systems means counselors and teachers need to work together. By working together, they can provide better support for the students. Schools could also create partnerships with mental health organizations and a network of referrals to outpatient programs. A comprehensive approach would make sure students are successfully helped at the right time.
While some may oppose this bill due to concerns about funding, budget, or challenges surrounding equitable implementation, a standardized support system could address many of these issues.
In conclusion, it is important for our school systems to have more mental health support which would benefit both the students and school system, promote well-being, and create a stronger support system. As a Chester County resident, you can help by reaching out to John A. Lawrence. He is the house representative for Chester County who is not listed as a sponsor. You can write to him, email or call his office. We need his support. Improving mental health support and resources will benefit our children now and in the future!
Representative John A Lawrence
Address: 1 Commerce Blvd Suite 200, West Grove PA 19390
Phone: (610) 869 – 1602
jlawrenc@pahousegop.com
References
- World Health Organization. (2024a, October 10). Mental health of adolescents. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
- 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2022 Oct. CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK587174/
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