Category Children’s Mental Health

Teaching Mental Health from K to 12

Susan Weinstein, Editor in Chief
Care for Your Mind

This year, two state legislatures passed statewide mandates for providing mental health education in public schools. What should kids be learning about mental health, and when, and from whom?


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The Sleep Oasis

Maribel C. Ibrahim, Co-Founder and Operations Director
Start School Later, Inc.

If you are a California resident or a consumer of national news, you may have heard about a bill awaiting Governor Jerry Brown’s signature. The bill doesn’t deal with class sizes, instructional curricula, or testing standards, but it may provide an unprecedented way to deal with a longstanding and national-recognized health issue among students. It has to do with sleep.

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It’s Back-to-School Time. Are Mental Health Services Available for Your Kids?

Teacher

On May 23, 2018, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) filed legislation (S.2934) to hire more mental health professionals in schools across the country. The move was prompted not only by school shootings but a 2016 report from the Florida Association of School Psychologists that found Florida has only one school psychologist for every 1,983 students. Compared to the nationally recommended ratio of between 500 and 700 students per psychologist, the data shows Florida has only one-fourth the number of school psychologists it needs to properly care for its students. That lack of available mental health professionals in Florida’s schools is one of the reasons why only a small percentage of children in Florida who need mental health services receive them.

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Addressing Teen Stress, Part 2

Elin Björling

Elin Björling, PhD
University of Washington

Last week, in recognition of National Stress Awareness Month, we began examination of stress and teens, particularly teenage girls. Read that, then read this week’s part 2. – Ed.

Designing technology-based stress reduction tools has promise for teens’ stress now and their future health.

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Addressing Teen Stress, Part 1

Elin Björling

Elin Björling, PhD
University of Washington

Just because stress is an increasing problem for today’s teens doesn’t mean that it is “normal.” We need to work together to address adolescent stress so today’s teens don’t suffer long-term consequences to their physical and mental health.

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Sharing a Pathway to Inner Peace in a Stressful World

Wuf Shanti and Adam Photo

Adam, age 13

To kick off National Stress Awareness Month, CFYM is delighted to bring the perspective of a 13-year-old to the conversation, as Adam shares his hope and strategy for addressing kids’ stress. Sometimes adults just need to stand out of the way and let the next generation lead. – Ed.

As far back as I can remember, probably starting at age 5, my mom would make me learn about charities and how to give back to help people. It seemed natural for me to become a peer counselor in school. It also made sense to take my great-grandfather’s teachings and pay it forward to teach other kids about mindfulness.

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How the National Association of School Psychologists Is Working to Protect Schools

John Kelly

John Kelly, PhD, President
National Association of School Psychologists

In addition to providing the organization’s statement (see below) following the February 14, 2018, attack at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, National Association for School Psychologists President John Kelly, PhD, answered several questions from Care for Your Mind.

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Preventing Mass Violence Requires Access to Mental Health Services and Reduced Inappropriate Access to Firearms

NASP logo

National Association of School Psychologists

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) joins the nation in shock and grief over the shooting in Parkland, Florida. Incidents of mass violence like this are far too common, and we need to do more as a nation to address the underlying causes. This includes addressing our broken mental health system and examining our existing—and the potential for more effective—gun legislation.

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