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? |
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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? |
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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