PD: Student Mental Health Matters

This webinar was very interesting.  I learned in the webinar that school psychologist are over ratio and so cannot really give each student the help they truly need.  At times the ratio may be 1:700 or 1:800!  First I thought it would be about all students mental health which is a very important topic in itself,  but it turns out to be that this webinar focuses on the mental health of the African American students.  According to the webinar they are at a higher risk for mental health issues than non black students.  The webinar provided us with the proper steps to take when we think a student is struggling with mental health: which is to get them help from a school psychologist or school counselor. 

Some of the most common mental health issues in students are anxiety disorders, depression, suicidal ideas, ADHD, and eating disorders.  In addition these may overlap with any other preexisting physical disorders or substance abuse.  There are signs to look for in our students that may hint if they have a mental health issue and if so we as teachers must get them the help needed.  The webinar mentioned school is the first place that will do the first step in helping a student with mental health issues.  Some of those hallmarks and things to keep an eye for are, anxiety, depression, hard time sleeping or falling asleep, over eating or not eating enough, not socializing with friends, and finally not being able to concentrate.  If we see a students presenting any of these we must get them proper help because we as teachers are not tired to help the students with these issues.  

Experiencing racial discrimination is also associated with depressive symptoms.  We the teachers must be on the lookout when we are giving lessons not to make racial comments and also to be sensitive about the material and the information we are providing in class so that we don't make our African American students feels uncomfortable.  For example, during a lesson on slavery we must be sensitive to whom it may affect more than we think.

I learned a lot during this webinar and I really enjoyed how the webinar focused on the mental health of our African American students.  It really stood out to me that the lessons on African American history can be very triggering and so we must be very aware of that and get our students the help they need. Perhaps before a very emotional lesson I as the teacher can have students fill out a trigger form where I can learn what type of information may be too much for them. Then I can be prepared to help my students on order ways.  For example, change my lesson for the better, send the student to the psychologist, talk to the student and find out how I can help.