Destigmatizing Mental Illness & Promoting Mental Wellbeing in Virginia Schools Stephanie Merryman

NIMH reports that approximately 1in 5 80% Students in the U.S. show signs or symptoms of a mental illness or mental health disorder Nearly 5million affected. Do not receive counseling. Or therapy. Or medication. of those children do not receive any help and go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed

Learning Relationships “Kids who suffer from mental health disorders… inevitably miss out on opportunities for learning and building relationships,” Unable to develop meaningful relationships with their peers diminishing academic effects Tracking system Benefits of social relationships emerge in childhood Some end up dropping out completely Highest dropout rate of any disability group —David Anderson from the Child Mind Institute

Mental Illness Specific Learning Disorder dyscalculia anxiety OCD “health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion, or behavior (or a combination of these)” personality disorders dyscalculia anxiety eating disorders non-verbal learning disabilities OCD depression Comorbidity can occur dyslexia ADHD mood disorders bipolar disorder dysgraphia PTSD intellectual disability “developmental disorders involving ongoing problems learning key academic skills…reading, writing and math” schizophrenia Specific Learning Disorder

Intervention Identification & teachers staff parents nurses counselors Collective mission approach Outside specialists psychologists

÷ Teachers 1,500-1,900 Receive little to no mental health training 500 600 1,600 students per counselor students per nurse students per social worker students per psychologist

“…An attribute that is deeply discrediting and sets the bearer apart from the rest of society, bringing with it feelings of shame and isolation.” STIGMA —CDC

I propose that comprehensive mental health education and awareness be required by all teachers in the state of Virginia in the form of a set amount of professional development points

Requirements for Renewal Professional Development Options College Credit Professional Conference Curriculum Development Publication of Article Publication of Book Mentorship/Supervision Educational Project Professional Development Activities 1.) 180 professional development points 2.) Child abuse/neglect recognition/intervention training 3.) Technology standards 4.) First aid, CPR, AED certification 5.) VA history/govt. tutorial 6.) Dyslexia training

No additional funds are necessary Knowledge comes from experts or through research Teachers maintain freedom to choose how to complete requirements Cannot guarantee a positive change in an educator’s perceptions of mental illness No additional funds are necessary