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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. ÷
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

7. “…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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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