While the focus on mental health has increased and it seems like students are struggling now more than ever, the reality is that most of these problems are nothing new. The difference is that we are trying to catch up with identifying when children are experiencing social-emotional or behavioral challenges.
Since 1991, the Centers for Disease Control has been conducting regular youth surveys related to their state of mental health. In the past, schools that did implement screening practices relied on teacher ratings to identify potential issues. However, the students themselves have been telling us for decades about the mental health crisis.
The Stats
The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System has revealed troubling statistics as recently as 2021. The following data points are a representation of 9th-12th graders from both private and public schools across the country.
Externalized Behaviors
- 6.6% were threatened or injured with a weapon
- 15% were bullied in school
- 8.6% did not go to school because they felt unsafe
Internalized Outcomes
- 42.3% reported persistent feelings of hopelessness
- 22.2% considered suicide
- 10.2% attempted suicide
Other externalized outcomes for students facing social-emotional or behavioral challenges include ODD, ADHD, irritability, learning problems, and thought disorders. Internalized outcomes can also present in the form of anxiety, depression, OCD, and social difficulties. The critical thing to remember about these numbers is that they are reported by the students themselves, not school staff.
How the BIMAS-2 Addresses What Students Are Telling Us
The point of the BIMAS-2 assessment is to provide a tool through which districts can identify students with social-emotional challenges earlier. The diversity of items helps administrators learn more about each individual’s mental health, initiating a faster response when paired with other intervention programming.
For example, item 24 of the BIMAS-2 has students answer questions about their intent to harm themselves. A school district in Colorado had identified 20 students at risk of self-harm through a teacher rating system. However, when the results from item 24 of the BIMAS-2 came out, the district discovered that 200 students were at risk. This demonstrates the need for thorough screening methods so that districts can take action sooner to care for their students.
If you are hoping to equip your school district with tools that help identify more students who are struggling with mental health, learn more about the BIMAS-2 assessment system.