With the reopening of schools, colds and bacteria are rampant in closed spaces. And as children across the country return to school, it’s important for those around them to remember that their mental health is just as important as their physical health.

Most of us have read or seen articles about the youth mental health crisis plaguing the country. With the ongoing pandemic, lack of face-to-face social interaction, and social turmoil, a child and her teens are facing a once-in-a-lifetime event that even adults don’t know how to handle. Adolescence is already a confusing time, even without the added fears of school safety, staying healthy, family financial security, and losing loved ones. on an upward trend.

With the new Back-to-School Toolkit, Mental Health America (MHA) recognizes that young people entering the new school year have “all emotions.”

The MHA Toolkit resources look at the issues that affect the mental health of young people and provide tips on how to deal with them and the resulting emotions. The toolkit also helps parents and school officials better understand the impact of social media on adolescent mental health and how to support them.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also provides information specific to back-to-school stress. Fall 2022 back-to-school resources provide information for educators, parents, children, teens, and college students. Additionally, NAMI’s “Hope Starts With Us: Back to School Anxiety” podcast provides even more information.

NPR’s article, Keep an Eye on Your Students’ Mental Health This Back-to-School, is another resource that will help students and parents as they return to the classroom.

Other organizations also have resources to help adolescents, teens and their families.

• mind your mind Create experiences that open up and show people that they’re not alone when they’re struggling. Young adult speakers who have successfully and productively dealt with mental health challenges share stories of hope, recovery, and resilience. They harness the power of storytelling to provide evidence-based education on mental health challenges in schools, communities and the workplace. Minding Your Mind encourages youth to seek help and effectively prepares those around them to offer that help. For more information, please visit https://www.mindingyourmind.org.
• teen talk app is a free, anonymous and safe place for teens to seek help from trained peers and learn from others with similar experiences. Teens can talk freely with their peers about everyday issues and overall mental health. Teen Advisors are trained to support peers through a wide range of experiences, including anxiety, depression, relationships, family issues, and school. Teen Advisors are supervised by licensed mental health professionals. I’m here. For more information, please visit https://www.teentalkapp.com.
• trevor project is a leading national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth. A trained counselor is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for youth in crisis, suicidal thoughts, or those in need of a safe, non-judgmental counselor. Call 866-488-7386, text START to 678-678, or start an online chat. For more information, please visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org.

These resources are available due to the prevalence of mental health problems among young people. The MHA produced a report addressing the youth mental health crisis. Youth mental health and wellbeing indicators show a growing public health crisis that will only be exacerbated by COVID-19. The MHA report, entitled “Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis: The Urgent Need for More Education, Services and Support,” will guide advocacy at the state level and initiate the creation of a federal policy framework. Designed to The purpose of this report is to document alarming trends in youth mental health and disparities in access to care. Address several innovative state legislative solutions to promote school-based mental health education, support, and services. It highlights the effectiveness of these policies in promoting equality and the role of youth leadership in securing legislation.

Mental Health Screening with MHA

A free, confidential and anonymous screening tool is available for young people and parents with mental health concerns through MHA at MHAScreening.org. After screening, results are provided with hints for next steps and additional information.

Serious signs that someone is in danger and need help, such as thoughts or plans to hurt themselves or others, need immediate attention. If you think your child or teen is at risk of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988). A trained crisis counselor can find local resources and suggest next steps.

Additional mental health resources to help faculty, staff and students

To support faculty and staff

For a variety of available resources for faculty and staff to support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler program, as well as information on the coverage of Purdue’s health plan for mental health and substance abuse, visit the Mental Health Resources webpage Please Confirm.

help students

Faculty and staff working with students or keeping students at home can direct them to the following resources for behavioral health support. Note: United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) — Students and Graduate Health Plan Providers — Offers 292 unique mental health providers serving various locations within UHCSR and the network within Tippecanoe County. A list is available here. Additionally, students have access to HealthiestYou, which provides virtual access to mental health care as part of UHCR’s plans. All services are free for students covered by the UHCSR insurance plan.

Student Dean’s Office

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)