Mental Health Screening – Many Educators Point To A Clear Connection Between Mental Health And Academic Achievement

Back in 2003, a federal commission created by President Bush recommended improving and expanding mental health programs in schools to provide Accordingly the commission highlighted one early means diagnosis, the Columbia University TeenScreen program, that allows students with parental permission to get a mental health check up via a ‘computer based’ questionnaire before graduating from high school. Now look, the commission’s 86page report included this suggestion among a long list of recommendations to improve the mental health system. It is the report attracted little attention outside mental health circles. Lots of info can be found easily online. Over the past two years, a cottage industry of fiery opposition has grown up around the proposal to expand mental health programs in the schools and has become a popular rallying cry for conservatives who see it as unwarranted government intervention in family lifespan. Now let me tell you something. Opponents of ‘school based’ mental health programs point to parents who say their children are misdiagnosed with problems similar to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and forced to take medication under pressure from school officials.

Did you know that the commission suggestion to improve and expand school mental health programs is the first, inexorable step ward mandatory school mental health screening for all students, and mandatory medication for many, despite repeated assurances by commission members, school officials and congressional experts that this won’t happen, to these parents. Whenever saying Undoubtedly it’s the job of parents to ensure their children’s ‘well being’, led by groups like Ablechild.org and EdAction, these parents seek for to prohibit schools from having anything to do with the mental health of their students. Groups are pushing Congress to pass legislation, sponsored by Rep, as a first step. Oftentimes ron Paul, ‘RTex’, and supported by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R Texas, to prohibit any federal funding for mental health screening of students without the written consent of their parents. Considering the above said. It will prevent wasteful and potentially devastating federal funding while safeguarding the informed consent rights of all parents in what really is a most serious matter their children’s health and safety, said Patricia Weathers, president and co founder of Ablechild, So if is passed.

Besides, the educators and medical professionals on the other side of the debate agree parental consent may be required for screenings. They also think it’s worth studying the idea of promoting voluntary screenings to get many of us are aware that there is this curious coalition of people who are concerned about stuff that we didn’t recommend, and are making a big noise about it, said Michael Hogan, director of the Ohio Mental Health Department and chairman of what was thence called the New Freedom Commission. So core thing that the commission was concerned about is the fact that a bunch of these mental health problems are pretty clearly problems of childhood and adolescent onset. Make sure you drop a comment about it below. Added to it is the fact that most children never get to see a mental health specialist. Fundamental logic of what the commission said is that we must take steps to facilitate access to care where children are.

It’s a well-known fact that the debate over school screenings is just part of a larger discussion over the role schools should play in ensuring children’s mental heath. Quite a few educators point to a clear connection between mental health and academic achievement. There’re a whole slew of intrapersonal variables that contribute to a kid’s ability to learn and are heavily about their academic success, said Stacy Skalski, public policy director for the National Association of School Psychologists. However, kids don’t come into the world knowing how to relate to others. For the most part there’re also interpersonal variables. They need to learn that. However, and is disrupting the classroom, that’s a child that needs some mental health assistance, I’d say if a kid is preparing to beat the hell out of other kids regularly. Bruce Hunter, a veteran policy official with the American Association of School Administrators, said it’s clear the education business is ugh enough without getting into the mental health business. Usually, amidst the things that our members have expressed is a rising concern about students’ mental health, and the ability to get them a poser, Hunter said. Essentially, these opponents point to the nasty potential consequences of some commonly prescribed drugs, including suicide, and argue that they simply aren’t safe for children.

Complicating factor is that the debate over school mental health problems has become enmeshed in the vehement opposition of plenty of individuals to medicating children for depression, hyperactivity and similar problems. Hogan and others supporters of school mental health programs agree that more longterm testing should’ve been done on antidepressants and similar emotionaltering drugs prescribed for children and teens. We recommended that the scientists and regulatory officials get on p of the safety issue, Hogan said. John Kline, that will prohibit schools from requiring parents to have their children medicated to attend classes. Of course her group supports legislation, sponsored by Rep. Instead of being so quick to prescribe a drug. Is among those who believe more attention should’ve been paid to children’s nutrition and behavior management. Besides, the bill also would cover more kinds of medication types than in the disability law.