HomeBlogPatientHow can schools better deal with the mental health issues of students? How can schools better deal with the mental health issues of students? January 11, 2017Patient The vast majority of mental illnesses—including issues like depression, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorder—manifest themselves in early adolescence. In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), 20 percent of children age 13-18 years suffer from a mental health condition. Those are the same years those children are likely to be in school and spending the bulk of their day with teachers, aides and fellow students. With the right support in place, these students might blend in with the rest of the crowd, making the most of educational opportunities in order to reach their full academic potential. Yet, most students who may be dealing with a mental health condition are likely not receiving any treatment. Studies from the National Institute of Mental Health estimate more than 60 percent are not receiving services or treatment from medical or psychological service providers. One might think, given the amount of time that these students spend at school each day, the public school system might be able to pick up some of the slack. But as National Public Radio (NPR) recently reported in a comprehensive new investigative series, most schools don’t just lack educational resources, they also lack the extra resources required to effectively deal with mental health issues. Teachers, aides, school nurses, school psychologists and other educational professionals spend a lot of time with students. That time is a potential opportunity. Educators could be one key way to identify children who are at risk for different conditions—and get them the help they need. But, for one, those working in the educational field are often already understaffed and overworked. Frequently, a school nurse or school psychologist may be responsible for hundreds, if not thousands of students. And, two, teachers and other staff lack the critical training to appropriately identify a true mental health condition from a children who may just be experiencing a period of stress or sadness. In an ideal world, all school staff would work together to provide a safe, nurturing, and stigma-free environment for all students. Teachers and other staff who interact with students the most would receive extra training to help identify at-risk individuals—and then direct them to the school nurse or psychologist for a referral to treatment. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services just earmarked nearly $50 million in grants to help make that ideal world more of a reality. Additional training would assist school staff, from the classroom to the cafeteria, to understand the realities of mental health conditions—and help reduce stigma across the school. One in five children will suffer from a mental health condition. But with the right mindset and investments, it is possible for families, clinicians and schools to work together to make sure at-risk children are getting the care they need. Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more
Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more
Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more
Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more
Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more