Parents Education Corner: The Importance of Student Social and Emotional Health
As students transition from summer to fall, they face a variety of changes and challenges. Whether they are entering school for the first time, moving to a new school level, starting college or a career, or simply navigating uncertainty about their next steps, their social and emotional health is a critical concern. Support systems, including parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, and school administrators, play a vital role in helping students navigate these changes.
Mental Health Statistics Among Youth
Recent data from the CDC's 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) highlights the prevalence of mental health challenges among high school students. The report found that:
39.7% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
28.5% experienced poor mental health most of the time or always.
20.4% seriously considered attempting suicide.
9.5% attempted suicide.
These rates were higher among female students and students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ+).
Protective Factors for Mental Health
The YRBS also identified several protective factors that are associated with a lower prevalence of mental health and suicide risk indicators. These factors exist at the individual, family, and school levels:
Individual-Level Factors:
Getting at least eight hours of sleep.
Being physically active for at least 60 minutes a day on five or more days a week.
Playing on a sports team.
Family-Level Factors:
Having a household adult who always tried to meet their basic needs.
High parental monitoring.
School-Level Factors:
High levels of school connectedness, or feeling close to people at school.
Source- www.cdc.gov
Resources for Families and Students
Support is crucial for promoting the well-being of young people. Families can connect with the following resources to provide a strong support system:
School counselors
Classroom teachers
School administrators
Pediatricians and primary care doctors, who can offer guidance and referrals
Spiritual leaders
Support groups
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” - Margaret Thatcher
“Do not judge me by my success; judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” - Nelson Mandela
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” - Maya Angelou
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” - Robert F. Kennedy
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” - Helen Keller
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” - Thomas Edison
