School Mental Health Evaluations Transform Pupils into Mental Health Patients, According to RFK Jr. and McMahon
In the ongoing effort to enhance the mental health of young people, a contentious topic has emerged: school mental health screenings. Recently, the Education Department withdrew approximately $1 billion in grants intended to boost the ranks and training of mental health professionals in schools. This decision has sparked debate, as some states have taken the initiative to implement mental health screenings for students. Illinois, for instance, will be the first state to mandate universal school mental health screenings, as part of a multiyear strategy launched in 2022 to enhance the state's behavioral-health system for children. However, Colorado repealed a similar law passed in 2023, citing concerns about resources and opposition from conservative parental rights groups. The screenings, which ask students to rate their agreement with statements like 'I have trouble sitting still,' 'I am lonely,' and 'I feel safe at school,' are not meant to provide formal diagnoses or clinical counseling. Instead, they help educators intervene earlier when students report problems they may not have shared with adults, such as difficulty making friends or anxiety about coming to school. Some school leaders have raised concerns about inadequate resources to respond when mental health concerns are identified. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) advocate for mental health support in schools, promoting programs such as 'MindMatters,' which strengthens school connectedness, social support, self-esteem, and participation, and supports regular mental health screening in schools. The WHO recommends creating a safe and appreciative school climate to foster psychological well-being among students and teachers. Schools should ensure that mental health screenings are developmentally appropriate, involve parents and caregivers in the process, and have proper follow-up protocols in place when students show signs of distress. However, not all voices support school mental health screenings. Two members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Linda McMahon, have voiced opposition, criticizing mental health screenings used in schools and characterizing them as 'medicalizing' young children's behavior and treating students 'like patients.' This opposition contradicts recommendations made by a handpicked federal school safety commission chaired by former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. Schools offering mental health screenings require parental consent for students to complete a self-report survey, ensuring that parents are informed and involved in their child's mental health care. The use of school mental health screenings has been endorsed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interventions based on screening results could be as simple as teaching students strategies to talk through conflicts or process grief after a family member's death. Half of young people ages 12 to 17 who receive mental health services get at least some of their care in educational settings. As the debate continues, it is clear that mental health support in schools is a crucial aspect of ensuring the well-being of our youth. In the Mount Olive school system, for example, they use the BASC-3 Behavioral and Emotional Screening System, a 25-30 question survey developed by Pearson. Florida, on the other hand, opted out of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, an anonymous, voluntary, biennial survey administered by the CDC. Despite the controversy, it is evident that mental health screenings can play a significant role in supporting students and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive. As the conversation around mental health in schools continues, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of our youth and provide them with the support they need to succeed.
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