Mental Health and Behavioral Concerns In Students, Schools Lack Resources

TL;DR

• 81% of superintendents agree student behavioral concerns have deepened since COVID-19
• 92% indicate the student mental health crisis is worse than in 2019
• CDC stated school-based activities can make a difference with support
• Budget constraints & pressure on teachers to focus on academic outcomes pose barriers to providing help

Mental Health Crisis Worsens for Students

Educators have reported that since the onset of the pandemic, mental health and behavioral concerns among students have become increasingly urgent issues that schools simply do not have the necessary resources to adequately address. Two surveys released Thursday by EAB found that an overwhelming majority of superintendents (81%) agree that student behavioral issues have been deepened by COVID-19, while an even greater number (92%) indicate that the student mental health crisis has further worsened since 2019.

The CDC has said that when it comes to helping teens in this difficult period, school-based activities could make a major difference in their lives with just a small amount of extra support being supplied to schools. Unfortunately, however, superintendents have cited budget constraints as well as pressure on teachers to focus on academic success rather than attending to children’s needs as significant barriers preventing them from providing the help needed.

In response to these findings, Ben Court from EAB is urging educators to create an environment where teachers can be proactive and supportive in caring for students’ physical and mental well-being. He believes that by doing so, teachers will be better able to capture the attention of their students with relevant content built upon realistic expectations for success. This will lead to an overall sense of satisfaction amongst students for their learning experiences, further enabling them to cope with life during this pandemic in healthier ways.

What's Next?

• Schools must prioritize finding resources to address the urgent student mental health crisis
• Parents should be aware of potential signs of distress & reach out to counselors or mental health professionals if needed.