If it appears a student does need help, what next? Talking to a school counselor can be a good first step, since they are easily accessible and free to visit.Īs a Gen X parent, it's weird to try to describe my childhood to my kids.
If you are unsure if your child is having a rough time or if there is something more serious going on, it is best to reach out to a counselor or doctor to be sure,” says Champion. Suicidal ideation (talking about being a burden or giving away possessions) or plans.Spending a lot of time alone and refusing to participate in daily activities.Depending on a child’s age, parents should be looking for the following signs, which may be co-occurring:
“Being attuned to your child’s mood, affect, school performance, and relationships with friends or significant others can help you gauge whether you are dealing with teenage normalcy or something bigger,” Champion says. It’s not always easy to tell if a teen is dealing with normal emotional ups and downs or if they need extra help, but there are some warning signs caregivers can watch for. “For many parents this was eye-opening and revealed the need to focus on mental health.” “Parents gained greater insight into their child’s behavior and moods, how they interact with peers and teachers,” says Champion. In addition, more and more people in the public eye are sharing their personal mental health experiences as well, which can help inspire young people to open up and seek out the help they need. Since early intervention is key to helping young people manage their mental health, these changes are positive developments. More than two-thirds of American parents believe children should be introduced to wellness and mental health awareness in primary or middle school, according to a new Global Learner Survey from Pearson. Parents are encouraging this support too. She adds that mental health support for young people is being more widely promoted, and kids and teens have greater access to resources, from their school counselors to support organizations. “Today we see more people talking about mental health openly-in a way that is more akin to physical health,” says Champion. Such statistics demand attention and action, which is why experts say destigmatizing mental health and talking about it is so important. The Genders and Sexualities Alliance(formerly the Gay-Straight Alliance) brings LGBTQ students and their straight, cisgender peers together to build bridges and understanding.Because our small-town schools (and all of our schools, really) need improving. GLSEN is a national organization aiming to make schools across the country as LGBTQ-friendly and inclusive as possible.The Trevor Project is an LGBTQ youth suicide prevention group helping kids who feel as though they have no one to turn to.
Its work is crucial in smaller cities and towns across America.