Students Have Ideas to Address Mental Health Challenges. They Want to Be Heard (edweek.org)

Students Have Ideas to Address Mental Health Challenges. They Want to Be Heard (edweek.org)

In the EdWeek article “Students Have Ideas to Address Mental Health Challenges. They Want to Be Heard” by Denisa R. Superville, she explores the perspectives of high school students on mental health challenges and their ideas for addressing them. In her article, she cites a survey conducted by the Child Mind Institute, which found that students are concerned about mental health challenges and want to see more support from their schools. Superville emphasizes that students are often overlooked as a source of ideas and solutions in this area, despite their firsthand experiences with mental health challenges.  In her article, Superville profiles several students who have taken it upon themselves to advocate for mental health awareness and support in their schools, and highlights the creative solutions they have proposed, such as peer support networks and mental health screenings. She concludes her article by emphasizing the importance of listening to student voices and involving them in decision-making processes related to mental health support in schools.

Journal Prompts

• US2 Core Principle #3 says: “We must intentionally include so as not to unintentionally exclude.” This core principle supports a key argument in the article Students Have Ideas to Address Mental Health Challenges.  They Want to Be Heard by Denisa Superville. In the article, she discusses the importance of including students in conversations about mental health. Why is it important to hear from students when developing strategies to address mental health challenges?  Are students in your school included in decision-making discussions around mental health? How have their insights informed school-wide strategies? If they are not included in decision-making discussions, how can students be empowered to take an active role in promoting mental wellness in their schools and communities? What are some strategies that your school can use to foster student leadership and engagement in mental health initiatives?
• In her article Students Have Ideas to Address Mental Health Challenges. They Want to Be Heard, Superville notes that mental health challenges can impact students differently based on factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status. What does your school do to ensure that mental health initiatives are inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of their students?