Michigan kids are facing a mental health crisis, but Bay and Arenac county educators are leading the charge in addressing the concern.
The number of kids in trouble is frightening.
“Suicide has risen to the second leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults, surpassed only by motor vehicle fatalities,” according to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.
In Michigan, one in five youth have a
diagnosable mental health disorder which results in impairment for one in 10. The prevalence of disorders such as anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide is rising. Young adults experiencing a major bout of depression has doubled over the last decade.
A 2022 report from
Mental Health America found nearly 17% of Michigan youth ages 12-17 had a major depressive episode in the past year. That's greater than the national average, which is around 15%, or 3.7 million children.
Local school districts are at the forefront of the battle for mental health of Michigan kids, says Stacey Meiningers, Whole Child Systems Supervisor at the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District.
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“Thanks to local district partnerships and commitments, BAISD has expanded 31 grant-funded mental health services to support K-12 students,” says Meiningers, who has been with the district for 30 years. “BAISD employs 15 master-level mental health service providers who work directly with students across all local and charter school districts.”
First, though, how did we get here? Experts offer
multiple theories for what’s causing the problem.
One is that social media creates lower self-worth due to constantly being judged by peers. Another is the negativity of the world reported online, where violence at schools is commonplace. A third is the drive to be perfect, fed by the images and stories on the internet.
“Excessive use of technology and social media use by children and youth has a significant impact on social relationships, ability to regulate emotions, and mental health,” Meiningers says. “This can result in challenges with social-emotional development, sleep disturbance, as well as an increased likelihood of depression and anxiety.”
The COVID-19 pandemic also increased the emotional strain youth felt while isolated due to school closings. The pandemic was particularly stressful on girls between 12 and 17 and caused a
51% rise in emergency visits due to suspected suicide attempts.
At the same time,
many youth are not able to access care. More than a third do not receive any professional care. This is due in part to provider shortages, unequal distribution of services, lack of transport, concern about payment, and the perceived stigma of having a mental health issue.
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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the mental health of teens today. Schools are stepping up to help teens learn healthy ways to cope.The BAISD is doing what it can to address these problems. The organization offers multiple mental health resources for youth. Telehealth and counseling are available 24/7 and students can call or text for help.
“Addressing stigma, and building trust among individuals, especially for more vulnerable populations and those who have faced difficulties in accessing support in the past, can be a challenge as we work to establish support systems for children and their families to seek help and report concerning behaviors,” explains Meiningers.
The ISD provides local resources such as the
Michigan Peer Warmline to help with persistent mental health challenges and the
Michigan Suicide and Crisis Hotline for emotional crises 24/7. For the crisis line, students can text, call, or chat at 988 with trained specialists who will guide them to the care they need. There are also links to help with finding a local therapist.
Bay-Arenac offers several links to national mental health websites, including the
National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) and
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA). Both offer up-to-date information and research helping students manage their mental health.
Bay-Arenac also recommends free apps for students such as
Smiling Mind and
Stop Breathe and Think which teach
mindfulness and meditation for stress management.
Meiningers thinks Bay-Arenac is making a difference for youth.
“I am proud of the hard and focused work being done to support the health and wellness of our youth by our mental health professionals, educators in our local schools, and our community providers,” Meiningers says.
“The value and importance of intervening early, developing trust among one another, and providing direct support to children and families at school is reflected in this collaborative work and shared resources.”
There’s also support available for the teachers who interact with students daily. One goal of the
National Education Association is to train and support teachers responding to the mental health crisis in youth.
The NEA’s premier program is focused on training educators to response to their students’ mental health needs. Called
Adult Social Emotional Learning, the five micro-credentials teach core competencies to help young people and adults acquire the skills and attitudes to develop healthy identities and manage emotions to achieve personal goals.
Other examples of NEA training are Trauma Informed Practices, which acknowledges that life trauma affects mental health and Restorative Practices, which uses techniques to provide a positive, effective alternative to discipline.
Another program trains educators how to use exercise and physical education to build confidence in students. It also helps teachers practice self-care to maintain their emotional stability in the classroom as 55 % are ready to
leave the profession early due to stress.
The NEA also has numerous resources targeting the student’s family. The website includes links for how to help a grieving student, how to transition a child back to school, and school safety guidance.