Over the past few years, the Department of Education of New York City has watched its students' mental health decline since 2011 as there has been an 11% increase in reports of feelings of hopelessness and overall sadness that have negatively impacted their day to day lives. For millions of children across the world, being a student is more than just attending classes – it’s their whole world. As a current junior in high school, I have noticed that my peers and I dedicate the majority of our day to school, attending both our scheduled classes and chosen extracurricular activities. Given the amount of time that each student spends at school, naturally, teachers and staff members become the people who we interact with the most on a daily basis – making them key figures in our lives. Arguably, these staff members are the ones who are capable of noticing slight changes in our emotional state based purely on the amount of time that is spent with them.
It is essential for school administrators to facilitate a safe space for students to feel comfortable enough to confide in a trusted adult when they are experiencing emotional turbulence. More recently, during the 2021-2022 school year in the United States, only 49% of public schools reported to have provided mental health assessments, and an even smaller 38% reported to have provided treatment to students who struggle with mental health disorders. Having spent my entire childhood in public schooling, I have first handedly witnessed the effects that a lack of financial support from the Government could have on a school. When deciding on which departments to cut funding for, I have noticed that administrations tend to immediately go towards the mental health services department and then the extracurricular department as funding for core academic subjects are often prioritized. In just Michigan alone, districts have experienced a shocking 90% cut in funding for mental health services (as well as school safety) in the new school year.
Although many assume that a child’s mental health is not something that schools should be concerned about, according to a comparative study conducted in 2009, research suggests that mental issues such as depression and anxiety correlate with lower grade point averages and even a likelihood of dropping out of school. Additionally, having a poor mental health state has proven to affect one’s decision making skills. From my personal experience, concerns with my emotional state often affected my abilities to concentrate and retain information taught in classes. With this being said, it is clear that school staff should prioritize supporting the well being of its students. By fostering a healthy environment, faculty members are able to aid their students in excelling both personally and academically.
Of course, not all schools function the same way. Therefore, I believe that each school should tailor their approach to creating a welcoming environment in order to fit their unique student body. Factors such as cultural dynamics and available community resources should be kept in mind when forming a supportive setting. For example, my school provides hot chocolate and snacks to help alleviate the stress that students may face during finals week. This small but thoughtful gesture fits our student body perfectly, creating a sense of comfort during a difficult time as we share a strong love for food. In general, by addressing mental health concerns through the creation of a safe and welcoming environment, schools are capable of creating a productive and empowering space for students to thrive in.
This blog is published as a part of the High School Science Journalism Fellowship Program.