MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which aims to increase the understanding of mental health concerns. When we address the stigma associated with mental disorders, we can advocate for support and resources for people affected.
When students and adults see mental health in the context of overall health, it starts to eliminate the stigma around mental health challenges. Cultivating awareness is like turning on a light. If you walk through a room full of furniture in the dark, you will likely trip and bump into things. You will move around easily and safely if you switch on the light. If we want to make progress in promoting mental health and eliminating the stigma attached to mental illness, the first step is to turn on the light in a room that has been dark.
Marion County Schools not only sees the importance of providing Mental Health Awareness to our district, but we are active in providing supports and resources to help bridge the gap to mental health services.
Statistics show 1 in 5 children age 13-18 have or will have a mental illness. That means in a classroom of 25 students, 5 will experience a mental illness.
Since 2020, Marion County Schools has partnered with Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center to provide School Based Mental Health Therapy. In these four years, our school district has identified and processed just shy of 500 mental health referrals. For a school district our size, that is approximately 15% of our students. The need for mental health services is here.
In the last three years, monthly lessons have been provided to over 2,000 students across the 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades. Our high school students received topics like Developing Growth Mindsets, Overcoming Adversity, Building Habits of Excellence, Integrity, Goal Achievement, Ethics, Suicide Prevention, and Bullying. Our Elementary students discussed Character Traits like Trust, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Kindness, and Resilience and how when we practice these mindsets, our mental health improves.
Marion County Schools is also active in providing weekly social and emotional lessons for our alternative school students often focusing on: improving overall mental health with anger management, coping strategies, impulsive decision-making, healthy relationships, truancy and improving a personal vision of self.
During May, let’s take advantage of the opportunity to raise awareness about mental health, promote wellness initiatives, and encourage individuals to seek assistance when necessary. Mental Illness Is Common, But Too Often Not Treated. The good news is Treatment Works and Treatment Is Available. We are proud to be a school district that fosters the importance of addressing mental health concerns. Let’s continue raising awareness and provide helpful resources to our students in need.