National Statistics and Resources
- 1 in 5 children and youth have a diagnosable emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder.
- 1 10 young people have a mental health challenge that is severe enough to impair how they function at home, school, or in the community.
- Only 40 percent of students with emotional, behavioral, and mental health disorders graduate from high school, compared to the national average of 76 percent.
- Over 50% of students with emotional and behavioral disabilities ages 14 and older drop out of high school. This is the highest drop-out rate of any disability group.
Source: Problems at School | Association for Children's Mental Health (acmh-mi.org)
7 million students are in schools with police but no counselors.
- 3 million students are in schools with police but no nurses.
- 6 million students are in schools with police but no school psychologists.
- 10 million students are in schools with police but no social workers.
- 14 million students are in schools with police but no counselor, nurse, psychologist, or social worker.
Source: ACLU - Cops and No Counselors
Additional research and statistics from the National Association of School Psychologist, specific to Child and Adolescent Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic, can be found at NASP Report.
Resources
NSBA Resources:
Webinar - Prevention and Early Intervention in Mental Health: Hosted with Mental Health America
This webinar addresses the data collected from Mental Health America’s screening program that allows for unique insights to the mental health of young people during the COVID-19 crisis. Mental Health America’s screening program (MHAScreening.org) has a suite of free, confidential, and anonymous clinically validated tools that are available to individuals to use to assess their mental health and determine if they are experiencing symptoms of a mental illness. During this session, you will learn more about student mental health, and through MHA’s data, what youth are looking for online. MHA will share research on best practices in promoting early intervention among students and school staff as well as programs and resources to invest in to support emotionally stronger communities.
Webinar - Navigating Virtual Education - With Calm, Connectedness and Compassion (COVID-19): Hosted with the Attachment and Trauma Network
The National School Boards Association's Center for Safe Schools, in collaboration with the Attachment & Trauma Network, hosted a virtual roundtable discussion on Navigating Virtual Education -- with Calm, Connectedness, and Compassion. This discussion focuses on the impact of school closures and the new "normal" this is creating for families and educators alike. It addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools and families and how we can help children and families, especially those with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), navigate this new environment.
Webinar - Trauma-Informed Schools are Safe Schools
Safe schools are not the same as trauma-informed schools. Trauma-informed schools are on the rise. There are similarities and differences between the two. This discussion addresses where they intersect and diverge as well as the qualities and characteristics of being safe and trauma-informed.
Adverse Childhood Experiences: The School Board's Role in Building Connections and Support for Students
Groundbreaking research in the 1990s uncovered a connection between childhood trauma and long-term physical and mental well-being in adulthood. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) also impact the emotional and behavioral needs of students and present a more immediate concern for schools. This report provides an overview of ACEs and their effect on a student's readiness to learn, as well as the role of school boards in providing meaningful support.
National Organizations:
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) represents and supports the profession of school psychology by advancing effective practices to improve students' learning, behavior, and mental health and maintaining essential standards for ethics and practice.
Mental Health America (MHA)
Mental Health America (MHA) is dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. MHA’s work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, career and social/emotional development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. ASCA provides professional development, publications, and other resources, research, and advocacy to school counselors around the globe.
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is a trusted source for knowledge about high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL). CASEL supports educators and policy leaders and enhances the experiences and outcomes for all PreK-12 students.
The Attachment and Trauma Network Inc. (ATN)
The Attachment and Trauma Network (ATN) is dedicated to promoting the healing of children impacted by trauma through supporting their families, schools, and communities.