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I really think this is a great resource for talking about mental health because the video is being told by children and how they feel about their mental health. This is coming from students point of views

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teachers can show their students this video to help them better understand mental illness. also this is great to show parents so they can better access what they can do to support their children.

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This is great to read because it shows what schools are having trouble in realizing mental health in the schools and teachers could use this to see what not to do or how to make it a better environment for students to tell you about their mental health.

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Problems at School | Association for Children’s Mental Health

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Learn how to navigate problems at school

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This talks about how school don't talk about mental health and if they are not talking about then some don't know what their students are going through this help teachers to check for signs and how to address mental health and how to bring the subject into schools.

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Part One in an NPR Ed series on mental health in schools.
You might call it a silent epidemic.

Up to one in five kids living in the U.S. shows signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder in a given year.

So in a school classroom of 25 students, five of them may be struggling with the same issues many adults deal with: depression, anxiety, substance abuse.

And yet most children - nearly 80 percent - who need mental health services won't get them.

Whether treated or not, the children do go to school. And the problems they face can tie into major problems found in schools: chronic absence, low achievement, disruptive behavior and dropping out.

Experts say schools could play a role in identifying students with problems and helping them succeed. Yet it's a role many schools are not prepared for.

Educators face the simple fact that, often because of a lack of resources, there just aren't enough people to tackle the job. And the ones who are working on it are often drowning in huge caseloads. Kids in need can fall through the cracks.
"No one ever asked me"
Katie is one of those kids.

She's 18 now. Back when she was 8, she had to transfer to a different school in Prince George's County, Md., in the middle of the year.

"At recess, I didn't have friends to play with," she recalls. "I would make an excuse to stay inside with the teachers and finish extra work or do extra credit."

We're not using Katie's last name to protect her privacy. She's been diagnosed with bulimia and depression.

She says that in the span of a few months, she went from honor roll to failing. She put on weight; other kids called her "fat." She began cutting herself with a razor every day. And she missed a ton of school.

"I felt like every single day was a bad day," she says. "I felt like nobody wanted to help me."

Katie says teachers acted like she didn't care about her schoolwork. "I was so invisible to them."

Every year of high school, she says, was "horrible." She told her therapist she wanted to die and was admitted into the hospital.

During all this time, she says, not a single principal or teacher or counselor ever asked her one simple question: "What's wrong?"

If someone had asked, she says, she would have told them.
Who should have asked?
We talked to educators, advocates, teachers and parents across the country. Here's what they say a comprehensive approach to mental health and education would look like.
The family
The role: The first place to spot trouble is in the home, whether that trouble is substance abuse, slipping grades or a child who sleeps too much. Adults at home - parents, siblings, other relatives - are often the first to notice something going on.

The reality: Many families do not know what to look for. Sometimes a serious problem can be overlooked as "just a phase." But it's those sudden changes - angry outbursts, declining grades, changes in sleeping or eating - that can signal problems. When something unusual crops up, families can keep in close touch with the school.
The teacher
The role: During the week, many students see their teachers even more than their own families. Teachers are in a prime spot to notice changes in behavior. They read essays, see how students relate with other kids and notice when they aren't paying attention.

The reality: Teachers already have a ton on their plates. They're pressured to get test scores up, on top of preparing lessons and grading assignments. Plus, many teachers receive minimal training in mental health issues. But when they do see something concerning, they can raise a flag.
The social worker
The role: Social workers act like a bridge. If teachers come to them with a concern - maybe a child is acting withdrawn - one of the first things they'll do is call home. They see each child through the lens of their family, school and community. They might learn that a family is going through a divorce or homelessness.

The reality: There aren't enough of them. According to one model, every school should have one social worker for every 250 students. The reality is that in some schools, social workers are responsible for many more.
The counselor
The role: In some schools, counselors focus solely on academics: helping students pick classes and apply to college. But in others, they also act a lot like social workers, serving as a link to families and working with students who need support.

The reality: Like school social workers, there just aren't enough counselors. On average nationwide, each counselor is responsible for nearly 500 students. The American School Counselor Association recommends a caseload nearly half that size.
The special education teacher
The Role: Special education teachers may start working with students when a mental health problem affects the ability to do school work. They are primarily responsible for working on academic skills.

The reality: Again, there aren't enough of them. Nearly every state has reported a shortage of special education teachers. Half of all school districts say they have trouble recruiting highly qualified candidates.
The school psychologist
The Role: Here's one job that, on paper, is truly dedicated to student mental health. School psychologists are key players when it comes to crisis intervention and can refer students to outside help, such as a psychiatrist.

The reality: If you sense a pattern here, you're right. In the U.S., there is just one school psychologist for every 1,400 students, according to the most recent data available from the National Association of School Psychologists.
The school nurse
The role: Most any school nurse will tell you, physical and mental health are tough to separate. That puts nurses in a prime spot to catch problems early. For example: A kid who comes into the nurse's office a lot, complaining of headaches or stomach problems? That could be a sign of anxiety, a strategy to avoid a bully, or a sign of troubles at home.

The reality: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least one nurse for every 750 students, but the actual ratio across the country can be much higher.
The principal
The role: As the top dogs in schools, principals make the big decisions about priorities. They can bring in social-emotional, anti-bullying and suicide-prevention programs.

The reality: Principals also have a lot on their plates: the day-to-day management of student behavior, school culture and teacher support.
Getting help, and "excited for life"
Katie says things started to turn around for her when she met a nurse at the Children's National Health System in Washington, D.C., who finally showed interest in what was wrong.

Now, she's begun college and wants to be a pediatric nurse.

"I'm doing a lot better now" she says. " Obviously, I mean, I'm a lot happier. I'm excited for school. I'm excited to graduate. I'm excited for life."

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Mental Health In Schools: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Millions Of Students

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An estimated 20 percent of children show signs or symptoms of a mental health problem. It's a destructive force in schools, but most educators don't have the training or resources to help.

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great use for teachers to have the definition to all the mental health and common health problems in students and how to catch the early signs.

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Mental health: Definition, common disorders, early signs, and more

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Mental health refers to cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. We define mental health, explain different disorders, and assess potential treatments.

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this is a great website because in goes into all the mental health and how to treat them and how to better understand them. this is great for teachers to use to have a better understanding of their students.

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A mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling or mood. Such conditions may affect someone's ability to relate to others and function each day. Each person will have different experiences, e ven people with the same diagnosis.

Recovery, including meaningful roles in social life, school and work, is possible, especially when you start treatment early and play a strong role in your own recovery process.

A mental health condition isn't the result of one event. Research suggests multiple overlapping causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events like being the victim of a crime. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too.

"This speed, savvy, and importance placed on unconditional support regardless of my circumstances was the rallying cry of my parents throughout my recovery, even when I fought them on it."
Read More of My Parents' Support Shaped My Recovery

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A mental illness is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling or mood. Such conditions may affect someone's ability to relate to others and function each day. Each person will have different experiences, e ven people with the same diagnosis.

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this is important because they talk about mental health and what to expect when a child has mental health and resources teacher/parents can do to provide support form that child.

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Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

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This article help with identify the signs of mental health. As a teacher your students mental health is a priority to help them succeed in school/ your classroom.

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Mental illness in children: Know the signs

Children can have the same mental health conditions as adults, but their symptoms may be different. Know what to watch for and how you can help.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
Mental illness in children can be hard for parents to notice. As a result, many children who could be helped by treatment don't get the help they need. Learn the warning signs of mental illness in children and how you can help your child.

What is a mental illness?

Mental health is the overall wellness of how you think, manage your feelings and behave. A mental illness may also be called a mental health disorder. It is patterns or changes in thinking, feeling or behaving that causes distress or gets in the way of being able to act.

Mental health conditions in children are most often defined as delays or changes in thinking, behaviors, social skills or control over emotions. These problems distress children. Mental health conditions disrupt their being able to act well at home, in school or in other social settings.

Barriers to treating childhood mental health disorders

It can be hard to detect mental health conditions in children because typical childhood growth is a process that involves change. Also, the symptoms of a condition may depend on a child's age. Young children may not be able to express how they feel or explain why they are behaving a certain way.

Concerns might keep parents from getting care for a child who might have a mental illness. Concerns may be about the stigma linked to mental illness, the use of medicines, the cost of treatment or problems getting help.

Common disorders among children

Mental health disorders in children may include the following:

Anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders in children are outsized fears or worries that are hard to control. These worries disrupt children's being able to take part in play, school or social activities. Diagnoses include social anxiety, generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Compared with most children of the same age, children with ADHD have trouble with paying attention, acting on impulse, being too active, called hyperactivity, or some mix of these problems.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological condition that appears in early childhood, often before age 3. How severe ASD is varies. But children with this disorder have trouble talking with and connecting with others.

Eating disorders. Eating disorders are defined as an unhealthy focus on an ideal body type, disordered thinking about weight and weight loss, and unsafe eating and dieting habits. Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder can result in not being able to act emotionally and socially. And they can cause life-threatening physical complications.

Depression and other mood disorders. Depression is lasting feelings of sadness, low or irritable mood, and loss of interest in typical activities. These get in the way of a child being able to do well in school and interact with others. Bipolar disorder results in big mood swings between depression and extreme emotional or behavioral highs. These highs can cause risky or unsafe actions.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is long-term emotional upset, worry, scary memories, nightmares and acting out. This is in response to violence, abuse, injury or other traumas a child has had or come into contact with.

Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a disorder in perceptions and thoughts. Schizophrenia causes a person to lose touch with reality, called psychosis. It most often starts in the late teens through the 20s. Schizophrenia can cause a person to see or hear things that aren't there, called hallucinations. It also can cause odd thoughts and behaviors.

What are the warning signs of mental illness in children?

Warning signs that your child may have a mental health disorder include:

Sadness that lasts two or more weeks.

Changes in being social or staying away from others.

Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself.

Talking about death or suicide.

Having outbursts or being very moody or testy.

Out-of-control behavior that can be harmful.

Big changes in mood, behavior or personality.

Changes in eating habits.

Loss of weight.

Trouble sleeping.

Getting headaches or stomachaches often.

Trouble concentrating.

Doing poorly in school.

Not going to school.

What should I do if I suspect that my child has a mental health condition?

If you're worried about your child's mental health, consult your child's healthcare professional. Describe the behaviors that concern you. Talk to your child's teachers, close friends, relatives or other caregivers to see if they've noticed changes in your child's behavior. Share this information with your child's healthcare professional.

How do healthcare professionals diagnose mental illness in children?

Mental health conditions in children are diagnosed and treated based on symptoms and how the condition affects a child's daily life. To make a diagnosis, your child's healthcare professional might suggest that your child see a specialist. This might be a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, psychiatric nurse practitioner or other mental healthcare professional. Seeing a specialist might include:

Complete medical exam.

Medical history.

History of physical or emotional trauma.

Family history of physical and mental health.

Review of symptoms and concerns with parents.

Timeline of how the child has matured.

School history.

Talking with parents.

Talking with the child and watching the behavior.

Mental health tests and questionnaires for the child and parents.

Healthcare professionals might use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM is a guide published by the American Psychiatric Association. It provides ways to make a diagnosis based on symptoms. Another diagnostic guideline is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) from the World Health Organization.

Diagnosing mental illness in children can take time. Young children may have trouble knowing or saying how they feel. How children matures varies. A healthcare professional may change or adjust a diagnosis over time.

How is mental illness in children treated?

Common treatments for children who have mental health conditions include:

Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or behavior therapy, involves talking with a psychologist or other mental health professional. With young children, psychotherapy may include playtime or games. During psychotherapy, children and teens learn how to talk about and manage thoughts and feelings. They learn new behaviors and coping skills.

Medicines. Your child's healthcare or mental health professional may suggest a medicine as part of the treatment plan. This medicine might be a stimulant, an antidepressant, an anti-anxiety medicine, an antipsychotic or a mood stabilizer. The healthcare professional most often reviews the hoped for benefits, possible risks and side effects of the medicine.

How can I help my child cope with mental illness?

You play a huge role in supporting your child's treatment plan. To care for yourself and your child:

Learn about the illness.

Consider family counseling that treats all members as partners in the treatment plan.

Ask your child's mental health professional for advice on how to respond to your child and handle tough behavior.

Enroll in parent training programs designed for parents of children with a mental illness.

Look for ways to handle stress and help you respond calmly.

Seek ways to relax and have fun with your child.

Praise your child's strengths and skills.

Work with your child's school to get the support your child needs.

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Show references

1. Use of the manual. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed Jan. 20, 2020.

2. Normal or not: When to get help. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Normality-022.aspx. Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.

3. What is children's mental health? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/childrensmentalhealth/basics.html. Accessed Sept. 20, 2023.

4. Kliegman RM, et al. Psychosocial assessment and interviewing. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 27, 2020.

5. Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination. Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.

6. Walter HJ, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2020.05.005.

7. Wolraich ML, et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics. 2019; doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528.

8. Autism spectrum disorders. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Child-With-Autism-011.aspx. Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.

9. Depression in children and teens. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Depressed-Child-004.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

10. Bipolar disorder in children and teens. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Bipolar-Disorder-In-Children-And-Teens-038.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

11. Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Comprehensive-Psychiatric-Evaluation-052.aspx. Accesssed Jan. 22, 2020.

12. Psychotherapy for children and adolescents: Definition. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/What-Is-Psychotherapy-For-Children-And-Adolescents-053.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

13. Psychiatric medication for children and adolescents: Part I - How medications are used. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Psychiatric-Medication-For-Children-And-Adolescents-Part-I-How-Medications-Are-Used-021.aspx. Accessed Jan. 22, 2020.

14. Learning to help your child and your family. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/find-support/family-members-and-caregivers/learning-to-help-your-child-and-your-family. Accessed Jan. 24, 2020.

See more In-depth

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Worried about your child's mental health?

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It can be hard to tell the difference between typical behavior and symptoms of mental illness in children. Find out what to look for and when to act.

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I believe that mental health is important in early stages of learning and teachers should research or use a website like this to better understand their students in the classroom. I also this is a good resource to help you have a conversation about your student and how they can help with better understanding and activities in the classroom and at home

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Children's mental health is without a doubt the most important aspect of any child's social and cognitive development.

Children need to have a good mental health status if they are going to live up to their full potential and truly live a life that is filled with positive experiences and the willingness to do what is best for themselves and the people around them.

There are a myriad of factors that can impact a child's mental health status, both positively and negatively. Providing children with an environment that demonstrates love, compassion, trust, and understanding will greatly impact a child so that they can build on these stepping stones to have a productive lifestyle. Many children do not receive that type of lifestyle though. Some children have to deal with a childhood that is filled with angst, resentment, hatred, distrust, and constant negativity. They have a difficult time coping with their emotions. These children will usually make excellent candidates for mental health programs. It is a difficult process for any person, let alone a child, to overcome such adversity but being proactive and doing all that you can for the child will at least help their mental health in some positive fashion.

Some children may also be born with mental health issues. These issues are a product of nature rather than nurture so the child may have a more difficult time dealing with his or her emotional state. Many children just naturally feel depressed or have anxiety issues. When these issues are not dealt with in the proper fashion, the children tend to have lower self-esteem and they struggle in the educational environment.

Children with mental health issues will have a difficult time acclimating to different situations. Studies have shown that these children, if left untreated by a mental health professional, will likely to grow up and repeat these same behaviors with their children. These children tend to have a lower self-worth, negative feelings, perform poorly in school, and later become involved in unhealthy lifestyle decisions. However, when these children are properly treated they can learn how to live a more promising life. They can overcome many of the issues that affect them without their consent. These children can live happy and productive lives that are filled with love, harmony, and a great mental health status.

the latest pages

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Children need to have a good mental health status if they are going to live up to their full potential and truly live a life that is filled with positive experiences and the willingness to do what is best for themselves and the people around them.

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This is a great resources because it show the myths in what schools think about student's mental health and facts about mental health. This will help teachers who have listened to the myths to educate themselves on mental health facts and myths.