Importance Of Mental Health Issues In High School

Register to read the introduction… The school must make a team decision, including administration and the director of student services, to determine a residential placement is required (Smith, Katsiyannis, & Ryan, 2011). According to standard 4 of the educational leadership policy standards, “An education leader promotes the success of every student by collaborating with faculty and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources” (“NPBEA,” 2007). Furthermore, the school would finance the setting if a residential setting were essential for the student to make educational progress (Smith et al., 2011). This is not always the best placement for students. However, there will be situations that negate the current educational placement. If a student is not deemed appropriate for a residential setting it becomes imperative to identify concerns, establish a plan to meet the needs of the student, progress monitor and evaluate frequently to determine if other interventions are necessary to meet the goal. In the process of identifying or explaining a student to other professionals, qualifiers such as academic performance, behavior and social demeanor are the first things that come to mind. Mental health issues are not only confined to students with disabilities. Instead, difficulties may incur while coping with chronic illness, which has a direct impact on the student’s academic, social and emotional development (Gergar, et al, 2011, p. 202). When compared to their peers, students with mental health concerns, overall were performing worse academically than other students with disabilities when looking at achievement tests and classroom performance (Smith et al., 2011). Students suffering from mental health issues are more time consuming for case managers, counselors and other professionals. The students may be pulled from classes with their peers based on classroom performance or as a coping mechanism. Often times, these students may need to be self-contained for a period or more to gain composure and prepare mentally to get through the school day. Standard 2 of the Educational Leadership Policy Standards states: “An education leader promotes the success of every student by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth” (NPBEA”, 2007). The best way to address these concerns is through a school-wide approach, which involves training and a universal understanding of procedures. A whole school-approach makes everyone accountable to implement necessary accommodations/modifications and follow behavior procedures consistently. …show more content…
The whole-school approach and the implementation of classroom strategies addresses standards 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Educational Leadership Policy Standards by addressing the following: creating a school vision, enhancing instructional programs, providing a safe, efficient and effective learning environment, as well as, providing a community collaboration effort to keep all parties involved (“NPBEA”, 2007). Louise Rowling described school-based programs in the following way:
School-based programs that promote mental health are effective, particularly if developed and implemented using approaches common to the health promoting schools approach: involvement of the whole school, changes to the school psychosocial environment, personal skill development, involvement of parents and the wider community and implementation over a long period of time (Rowling, 2009, p. 360). Each of these components play a crucial role in the success of a school program. One program that is currently being initiated nation wide is the Positive Behavior Support program. This program emphasizes a) prevention, b) early intervention, c) data-based decision-making, and d) capacity building within and across schools (Smith et al., 2011, p. 186). The characteristics of any positive school program include having a common purpose/goal, leadership, follow through, consistency, procedures/protocols, and a common focus to improve. There are additional strategies that can be implemented by the school to meet the needs of the whole-school approach. …show more content…
Furthermore, how to appropriately use instructional strategies to meet the needs of the students. Teachers also have the responsibility to implement interventions and progress monitor behavior and health concerns. Through appropriate communication, this can be accomplished as a team. It is crucial to find a program that can provide a positive support system to meet the needs of all students. The program will provide training to the faculty and staff for consistency of procedures and protocols. Based on the evaluation of the program it can be further modified to meet the needs of the culture of the school. This program may lead to higher graduation rates, preparation for postsecondary educational opportunities, lead to employment and continued mental health care to be