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The school year is in full swing – a welcome return to normalcy after two years of interrupted learning. But there is nothing normal about the mental health crisis facing America’s youth.
Mental health hospitalizations for children under the age of 19 rose 61 percent Clarify the Institute of Health. The crisis predated Covid-19, but the pandemic certainly didn’t help. More than a third of high school students reported experiencing mental health problems during the pandemic CDC Reports.
Most disturbingly, Suicide It is now The second leading cause of death For those aged 10 to 24.
Administrators from both sides are joining forces to address youth mental health issues.
Governor Murphy has made youth mental health his priority Focused motivation This summer when he became the chairman of the National Governors Association. As administrators, one of our most important and sacred responsibilities is to protect the physical and mental health and well-being of our state’s children.
Our priorities are to equip parents, teachers and carers with the tools to identify mental health needs and help children get the support they need. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, but many are unaware of the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
New Jersey is working to strengthen youth mental health supports by using America’s Rescue Plan funds to partially transform — $55 million for coordinated efforts to improve access to services; awareness-raising and resilience-building; and providing peer support, professional development, and training for mental health in communities, schools, and college campuses.
Access to care is important, but it can be challenging. School counselors and medical systems overwhelmed American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry It reports that only about 20 percent of children with mental health problems receive care. In both rural and urban areas, there is a shortage of mental health professionals — especially those who specialize in youth mental health — forcing many parents to turn to emergency rooms. Between 1,000 and 5,000 children spend the night in emergency rooms waiting for mental health care. Reporting The New York Times
States are innovating to fill the gap.
New Jersey has worked together to ensure that young people get the mental health treatment they need Child care system. By calling one central number, families can connect with mental and behavioral health care services, family support organizations, and 24/7 mobile crisis response units – all at no cost, regardless of the family’s insurance status.
Created by Utah SafeUT application – They are now in 90% Schools. Similar to 9-8-8, SafeUT is a free and confidential service that connects students with licensed counselors throughout the University of Utah Hospital system at the touch of a button. In addition to counseling, the app supports school safety by providing a safe place for students to report bullying and threats of violence. Advisors logged more than 1 million interactions with the app last year. Estimate An average of two lives per day.
State after state is implementing similar services – with more Asking Student ID cards to include a crisis text line or a suicide prevention hotline.
With Covid relief funds and laws like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the federal government has. He is committed. Important resources to strengthen government efforts. Various grants to states and school districts provide funding for priorities such as: significantly increasing the number of school counselors and other mental health professionals; Providing children with access to mental health services – including school-based and telehealth options – through Medicaid; train primary care physicians in the basics of mental health care; talk to Childhood trauma; re-engage students by expanding after-school and summer activities; improving learning environments; Supporting certified community behavioral health clinics and other community resources and more.
Congress has taken steps to improve the situation National suicide and crisis lifeline. The July launch of the service – now accessible with a simple 9-8-8 number – is a big step. Data From the first month of implementation, the number of calls, texts and chats increased by 45 percent compared to the same period last year – this indicator shows that 9-8-8 is effective in connecting more people with help. The work on 9-8-8 is not yet complete. Sustained support and ongoing federal/state coordination is key to ensuring that local resources are supported to keep pace with demand and provide lifeline response.
The origins of the youth mental health crisis predates Covid-19, but the pandemic has both exacerbated and highlighted the problem. It’s a wake-up call. Let’s heed the call and get our children the support they need.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy serves as chairman of the National Governors Association, and Utah Governor Spencer Cox serves as vice chairman of the National Governors Association.
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