School-aged children are facing a mental health crisis. The rates of anxiety, depression, suicide, and general behavioral issues are at an all-time high. Fortunately, our ability to identify these mental health symptoms has improved in the last few decades, providing us with critical data that can guide decision-making at the district level to combat this crisis.
Coming together as a community to support children who are struggling with these obstacles is part of the mission of the Multi-Tiered Support Network. By partnering with schools to implement intervention programming, more life-saving stories like Teddy’s will become possible.
Mental Health Statistics
There is plenty of research available to give us insight into the state of mental health within this population. According to a study in 1999 by the US Department of Health and Human Services, about 20% of children will present themselves with diagnosable mental health disorders. A Kauffman study in 1997 showed that a further 3-6% of children will have serious and chronic disorders.
However, the older children get, the worse their prognosis can become. There are two predictable routes that these mental health difficulties can take as the child gets older.
Externalizing Behaviors
Mental health challenges can manifest in easily identifiable ways when externalizing behaviors occur. These behaviors include impulsiveness, low frustration tolerance, severe tantrums, aggression, defiance, and even being loud. Generally, these symptoms are much easier to identify.
Internalizing Difficulties
This is when mental health becomes much harder to diagnose within a young child or adolescent because these symptoms are internal states. Issues like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts fall into this category.
Why It Matters
What is the value of one life saved? Identifying mental health symptoms in a student is the first step toward taking action for prevention and treatment. However, we believe that schools can start this work even before symptoms become observable. District-wide systems of support are proven to help students navigate behavioral challenges that can negatively affect their outcomes.
If we can help save one student’s life through intervention programming, then it is worth the effort. Contact MTSN today to discuss identifying these mental health symptoms and responding to the needs of students.