In middle and high school, students are frequently educated on how to handle harmful social media posts, but little is done to support those who are silently dealing with mental health challenges. Despite this, one in five teens between ages 12 and 18 struggle with mental health issues, yet schools often focus more on addressing visible signs of distress rather than the silent sufferers.
In Ohio, students are required to watch a Sandy Hook “See Something, Say Something” video every semester, aimed at preventing potential harm to oneself or others. While these videos are informative, they fail to address the needs of students who are silently struggling with mental health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 42% of students experience persistent sadness or hopelessness, impacting their behavior and well-being.
Schools often claim to care about their students, but true care for their mental and physical health requires a change in approach. One way to improve the well-being of students is by starting school at a later time. Research shows that as teenagers get older, they are getting less sleep, impacting their mental health. By starting school later, students have the opportunity to get more rest, especially those involved in extracurricular activities or part-time jobs.
Aubrianna Spears from Jackson Township argues that schools need to focus more on the mental health of their students. She suggests starting school at a later time as one way to improve the mental well-being of students and allow them to get the rest they need to thrive academically and emotionally.
In conclusion, schools must take a different approach towards improving the well-being of their students by addressing the needs of those who are silently struggling with mental health issues rather than solely focusing on visible signs of distress. Starting school at a later time can be an effective solution that allows teenagers to get enough rest and improve their overall well-being.
Ohio lawmakers have already taken steps towards addressing this issue by introducing legislation that would require public schools in Ohio to start classes after 9:00 am instead of 7:30 am as it has been previously.
It’s time for schools across America to follow suit and prioritize the mental health and well-being of their students above all else.