Aug. 26, 2019 – There is stigma that surrounds mental health, say behavioral health specialists, and this stigma limits people in getting the help they need.
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the stigma of mental health and how it can be reduced, will be the focus of the district’s first “Wellness Wednesday.”
“Wellness Wednesday” is a district initiative designed to proactively address the mental and emotional wellness of students.
Statistics show why mental health education and awareness are critical:
- One in five children between the ages of 13 -18 currently have or will have a serious mental illness.
- Fifty percent of all mental illness begin by the age of 14.
- Less than 20 percent receive the treatment that they need.
Every early release day – which occurs once a month on a Wednesday – educators will give 30-minute, video-based instruction with interactive activities on a topic surrounding mental health.
The “Wellness Wednesday” initiative meets the most recent State Board of Education ruling passed in July.
But more importantly, it aims to improve the emotional and mental well-being of students and help them identify the signs and symptoms of a mental illness. It will also show them how to get help for themselves and their peers.
