The Evidence
School is a large stressor for students, supported by the fact that 24% of parents claim homework is an issue for their children's mental health (Neighmond)¹. School stress can lead to symptoms of a mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. By the same token, mental health impairs adolescents ability to function to their fullest extent in society. When surveyed, 75.1% of participants in the Ridge High School student body reported missing school for a lack of sleep, 34.4% for extreme sadness, and 52.2% for stress (Trucco)². However, even with so many students being impacted by mental health illness, there is not enough being done to help. Out of the 2.2 million adolescents ages 12-17 who reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year, almost 60% received no treatment, and only 7.4 thousands of adolescents report visiting a mental health professional over the course of a year (Major Depression)³. Students not receiving the help they need can lead to many problems. One huge problem is suicide, which is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24 (Mental Health By the Numbers)⁴. In a survey of private and public high school students: 13.8% reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide and 10.9% planned suicide (MMWR)⁵. Suicide is not just a problem for kids, as suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US as a whole (Mental Health By the Numbers)⁴. Based off of this evidence, there is absolutely no doubt that change must occur to allow for more awareness for the issue at hand.
Student Survey
Through our collective efforts, we curated a survey and sent it to the Ridge High student body. Upon receiving 321 responses from each grade level, we analyzed the data to come to some upsetting- however, not shocking- conclusions. We accumulated data regarding the constant pressure endured by students. Our findings were eye opening.
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The 9th grade mental health curriculum... (choose all that apply)
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If you were struggling emotionally, you would feel comfortable reaching out to & informing the following people: (Check all that apply).
Have you ever missed school for the following? Check all that apply.
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What do you believe could be helpful to limit student stress and help promote an environment for the mental wellbeing of students?
Under the free response portion of this question, we received over 50 suggestions to better the environment at Ridge High School. Here are some of the highlights: "Everyone just has to be nicer to each other. This will make everyone less anxious and more happy in the school environment" "I think that it's very important to teach individuals the proper steps for when a friend is suffering with a mental health disorder - how to effectively support them and what to do in certain situations (i.e. if they are refusing to get help), as well as how to recognize signs that someone needs help - sometimes it can be hard to tell if someone is simply having a bad day or if they are dealing with an ongoing struggle." "There are an abundance of professionals at the school that are under-utilized by students bc students don’t want to reach out when they are overwhelmed. instead, the school should implement relationship mapping as a tool to reach out to students. we have plenty of resources available, we just need easier ways to access them as students" "If there's any way to, try to elliminate the stigma that comes with the phrase "mental illness". They are people legitimately struggling and simply because this is a "great" topic to discuss in school, there are students who aren't recieving the proper assistance to help them deal with it all." "DEFINITELY more mental wellness assemblies to help students and teachers recognize what a mental illness/disorder is and to show how to handle it and who to talk to." "Change the "culture" at Ridge - Currently competitive and judgmental. Students don't feel comfortable speaking out. The SAC program is good, but the fact that the program requires the school to share mental health issues with parents or potentially hospitals definitely discourages many people from taking part and reporting their problems. (Adolescents want to resolve these problems without the involvement of their parents, otherwise they would just tell them directly.)" "There need to be more training for teachers in handling student stress and attempting to mitigate student stress through means such as homework reduction and the creation of a constructive and relaxed classroom environment." "Just make the conversation about mental wellness and mental disorders more open and less taboo. I also wish the guidance counselors checked in with the stuents more so that you could get to know them better and actually view them as a resource to talk to if you needed it. Right now they feel so distant and unknown that I wouldn't feel comfortable talking to them about personal issues." "Try to lessen the workload. Students shouldn't be going to sleep at 2am because of homework. Socializing and pursuing hobbies are an important part of mental wellness. All Ridge kids know how to do is study is because we don't have time for anything else." |
Educator Survey
Similarly, we distributed a survey for educators to understand their almost birds-eye view of this topic- always witnessing, yet forced to hold their tongue on their thoughts. Through our mental health related Ridge High School educator survey, we received 45 responses spanning from every department, course rigor level and grade level. Here are some highlights of their responses.
Do you have any other suggestions to promote a healthy, stress-free, or mental-health supportive environment at Ridge High School? Please write them below if so."Create a semester long elective course on emotional well being, strategies for coping with stress, time management, etc. Should be taught be a guidance counselor, SAC, or psychologist" "Students should not pack their schedules with courses that are too difficult for them just because it "looks good for college". Just because a student qualifies for an AP/honors class does not mean they should take it. Students pushing themselves into classes that are too difficult for them is probably one of the biggest reasons for student stress. It is difficult for teachers to keep the integrity of a high level class while still trying to accommodate struggling students." "Fundamental values must change in this community. I do not share the values that I witness in this school, and I am powerless to change them. These values enter my classroom like a toxic breeze. A life well lived is not measured by GPAs, SAT scores, college attended, size of paycheck, size of cars, size of homes, vacation destinations. So long as these values dominate, children will suffer." "I think that a lot of stress could be reduced if students and parents would accept and embrace that not everyone needs to take every Honors/AP course offered at Ridge and furthermore aren't able to keep up with the work in a meaningful way. Until this perception changes outside of this building it will be difficult to create any big change in this area in my experience." "More workshops for parents. Students are too focused on where they are going to college and not on their long term mental health and happiness. Parents and students have unrealistic expectations, and students set themselves up for failure. Teachers and guidance counselors are giving students what they think those students want, and students cannot have it both ways. If challenging classes are too stressful, students need to take less of them." "A "Quiet Room" set aside for the purpose of allowing students a removed, safe quiet place to unplug and relax the nervous system." |