Thanks to a new program, mental health is starting to be discussed more in Arizona schools starting this year. There are currently no standards for mental health education in Arizona schools. But some school districts are taking the issue into their own hands and changing the current system by opening up the conversation on mental health.
“Ending the Silence”: A New School Program
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 10 to 24 year olds in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, around 18 percent of Americans suffer with a mental illness. That is why they have started the program, “Ending the Silence”. The program consists of a classroom presentation for middle and high school students to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
The Program has Already Been Adopted into Several Schools Throughout Southern Arizona
Arizona is planning to expand the program across even more schools in the state. It has already received positive and encouraging feedback from participating students, with 19 percent reporting that is has made them take action to get help. Take home handouts are also available to help students feel more comfortable about openly discussing the topic with their parents. The stigma surrounding mental health has been an issue causing teens and young adults to feel embarrassed or ashamed, preventing them from talking about it.
Some School Districts are Also Starting to Require Health Education
There were 47 reported suicides in Arizona in the year 2015 and 98 percent of them were found to have been preventable. Because of this, some school districts are creating health education classes as required credits to expose students to more mental health education. Arizona schools are hoping that by opening up the conversation about mental health, more students will understand it and feel more comfortable asking for help.
Photo by Michal Jarmoluk
