Focus Group Findings

We recently convened a group of counselors/social workers/administrators to discuss what they see as the most pressing mental health concerns in districts. Here is some of the information that came from the Focus Group:

 

How have the mental health needs changed in school settings in recent years?

• Starting younger
• More violent
• Intensity
• Kids stay in school with major issues – in past may have been home
• More kids on anti-psychotic meds, in regular education classrooms – and often we aren’t aware
• Parents are in mental health crisis too
• Greater percentage of kids with mental health issues/anxiety
• Incidence/Impact of substance abuse on kids with mental health issues

 

What are the gaps in terms of providing mental health services to students in your school/district?

• Lack of understanding diagnosis
• Transition of students back into district after placement
• We don’t have full time staff in each building
• Communication!
• Reactive not proactive
• Lack of empathy for kids/parents with mental health issues

 

What can school staff do in general in order to promote better mental health for students?

• Systemically embrace mental health like we do with other things that matter. See it as central to our kids’ learning and success
• Become educated about mental illness and the stigma that accompanies it
• Adopt language that does not perpetuate the stigma and secrecy around mental illness
• Through training have a better understanding of mental health issues – signs and symptoms
• Awareness of mental health/illness and how it plays out in schools on a daily basis
• Climate of the school – how are we doing? - Often compartmentalized
• Understand different pressures students face now
• Teach and model mindfulness to students
• Encourage balance; minimize competitiveness in classroom, encourage collaborative learning to ease pressures

 

For staff?

• Promote self-reflection
• Allow culture that makes it ok for someone to voice they are struggling
• Finding ways to appreciate/value colleagues
• Down-time to “talk”
• Teach and model mindfulness
• Make it a focus for entire district from administration down
• Staff development days/over structured – need time to re-connect

 

What should schools focus on in terms of mental health issues:

For students?	For staff?
Bringing parents into conversations Team approach Early intervention that’s family focused Teaching kids how to handle stress, coping Reducing stigmas Name the mental health issues – explain and give coping mechanisms, give them power to handle their emotional wellness Some of these are normal “issues” that you need to wade through All have issues/struggles and ok to struggle Educating parents	Confidentiality issues – (sharing between teachers to assist teacher in teaching) Perspective keeping Staff have permission to ask for what they need, when out of their league Build empathy – look at whole student Teachers – what brought you to teaching in the first place? – reflective piece Expect to check in with school psychologist? EAP classes Explain what counseling is about

 

What kinds of training do staff need with regards to mental health issues:

In terms of knowing how to respond to students and/or staff?

Mandatory staff meetings Triggers, what-why Tolerance, empathy Global issue not school issue Strategies How to access – referral form Work as team, unifying Helping them know when to seek help Resiliency in addition to training Ask staff what they need instead of telling them

 

What do you think your role should be in terms of mental health issues in your school/district?

• Social worker versus school counselor
• Truth tellers
• Point people
• Educate and advocate
• Intervention, consultant and trainer