By Tammie Workman, Educator in Chief
August 3, 2022
“You look at me and cry; everything hurts. I hold you and whisper: but everything can heal.”
– Rupi Kaur
It’s very easy to become overwhelmed and saddened in a troubled world. As an adult, I have the experience and understanding to recognize that the events we are now experiencing, though unique in the details, are not unique in themselves.
We have had unsettling moments before. In many ways, they may seem unique because of the way we receive news today – 24/7, sensationalized, “amplified and magnified” – but we are a nation and a world that has lived through challenging, even frightening, times before. Granted, I’m an adult and have moments where it still seems overwhelming. But because I have acquired foundational skills for coping (and yes, I’m still learning), managing my news intake, and, most importantly, having a loving support system around me, I never stay too unsettled for long. But I get it. It’s a lot.
But what about our children and youth? How are they coping? The U.S. Surgeon General issued a December 2021 mental health advisory for youth due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic. And sadly, we know the issues are not new. “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people, with up to 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. having a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder” per the advisory.
And data from a 2022 CDC report sheds even more light on the issue. “According to the new data, in 2021, more than a third (37%) of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 44% reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year.” All very alarming, though not to say that there are no avenues of support. Many districts and schools offer mental health professionals (counselors, social workers, and psychologists, to name a few) for intervention when needed. Long-standing tools such as the MTSS system and early warning screeners are designed to support the continuum of care and, when implemented well, are effective tools. And the national push for ensuring anyone with thoughts of harm to self or others has just released 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | SAMHSA to seek help. All very worthy and all very needed.
But the question begs, are there ways to avoid a crisis before it becomes a crisis? And the answer, in many cases, that yes, there are resources available that are meant to serve as prevention rather than intervention. We know when we give students the tools to support their sense of belonging, avenues to become more self-aware, build relationships, manage their emotions, and make responsible decisions, we are also giving students tools to better cope when challenges come their way. Minor problems do not always have to grow into bigger problems, and these skill sets, necessary to succeed in life and academics, can be taught both in and out of school. It’s never too early to get started and take action on behalf of children and youth.
Our own CWK-TV, designated as an evidence-based program on the What Works Clearinghouse, which offers over 400+ award-winning videos, lesson plans, facilitator guides, rich question prompts, and more, can be an easy action for you to take today to support student mental health. The rich stories you will see addressing mental health, SEL, equity, and character development are real, highlighting struggles students face in their daily lives – acceptance, identity, bullying, body image, substance abuse, relationships, pressure to succeed, and other concerns you will recognize if you are a teacher, a parent, or someone who knows or works with youth. These stories and learning resources, centered firmly on the power of media and the promise of education so everyone can reach their highest good, are one step anyone can take to help support students’ wellbeing. I encourage you to reach out if you want to know more about CWK-TV or other resources we offer to help heal the hurt. I hope you join us.
The Measure of Our Success is How We Take Care of Our Children