On Tuesday, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly held a Youth Mental Health Roundtable with students from Wausau East High School to discuss the mental health challenges facing students and potential solutions within the school environment. The roundtable provided an opportunity for students to openly share their experiences, voice concerns, and propose ideas on how to improve mental health resources and support at school.
The event, held in a meeting room at the high school, featured a group of students who participated in a candid conversation with Dr. Underly. School and district staff were also present, listening to the students’ feedback and insights. Dr. Underly emphasized the importance of listening to students in order to better understand their needs.
“I mean, we can’t really know what they want unless we listen to what they need,” Dr. Underly remarked, expressing appreciation for the students’ willingness to open up. “The fact that the students were so willing to be open about their experiences, and they brought in some things that I certainly didn’t consider.”
Key Issues Raised by Students
During the roundtable, students raised several issues they felt should be prioritized to improve mental health support in schools. One key suggestion was to host social events aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, making it easier for students to discuss their struggles openly. Additionally, students advocated for incorporating mental health education into the curriculum, beginning at the elementary school level, to normalize discussions about mental well-being at a younger age.
Josie Leiter, a junior at Wausau East High School and president of the student-run group Raise Your Voice, shared the group’s key takeaway from the discussion: the need for more mental health staff in schools. She suggested that having additional counselors or a more permanent community therapist would provide vital support for students.
“I think the big takeaway is using these funds to have more staff in the building,” Leiter said. “Whether that be more counselors, another social worker would be great, having a more permanent community therapist in the school. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. I know personally I’d rather have someone cry on my shoulder than attend their funeral.”
The Empowering Effect of Being Heard
Students expressed gratitude that their voices were being heard, acknowledging the progress that has been made in addressing mental health issues in their schools. Leiter reflected on the importance of the conversation, particularly given her personal experiences with mental health challenges.
“It makes me feel great, but like other students, I’ve been at a place where mental health has been challenging,” Leiter shared. “So to really see us having those conversations is so empowering for me, and I’m really excited to be a part of that change.”
Dr. Underly also praised the students for their openness and emphasized the importance of continued action. She urged parents, staff, legislators, and other adults to listen to the concerns of young people and to take concrete steps to address their mental health needs.
“Do something. Our kids, our future, are asking for help, they need help,” Dr. Underly said. “They’re telling us, as they have today, all the different pressures, all the different stresses, all the different stigmas that are associated with mental health, and just growing up here in 2024.”
Addressing the Statewide Crisis: Youth Mental Health in Wisconsin
The roundtable is part of Dr. Underly’s broader effort to gather information about the state of high school student mental health in Wisconsin. This initiative follows the release of the Wisconsin Department of Instruction’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Study, which revealed concerning trends in student mental health.
According to the study, 59% of high school students reported experiencing at least one mental health challenge in the past year. Among those, over half (51.6%) reported experiencing anxiety, and one-third (35%) experienced depression nearly every day for two weeks or more. Additionally, one in five students (20.9%) reported engaging in non-suicidal self-harm.
These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for expanded mental health support for students across the state.
Funding and Legislative Support for Mental Health Initiatives
In response to the growing need for mental health services, Dr. Underly recently released a budget proposal for the 2025-2027 biennium that seeks to address youth mental health issues more effectively. The proposal includes a $304 million investment to enhance mental health resources in schools.
Key aspects of the proposal include:
Increased funding for mental health training for school staff to better identify and support students in need.
Expansion of eligible mental health costs to include all pupil service staff, ensuring that mental health support is integrated across various roles within the school system.
$100 per pupil for local education agencies through the expansion of the School-Based Mental Health Services Program, allowing schools to increase resources dedicated to mental health services.
Dr. Underly’s efforts are part of a broader statewide push to address the mental health crisis among youth, ensuring that students have access to the care and support they need to thrive academically and personally.
Conclusion
The Youth Mental Health Roundtable at Wausau East High School reflects the growing recognition of mental health challenges in schools and the importance of addressing these issues proactively. As Dr. Underly’s conversation with students highlighted, young people are eager to be part of the solution, advocating for greater support and resources in their schools. With the backing of proposed budget increases and expanded mental health services, Wisconsin has an opportunity to create a more supportive and responsive environment for students facing mental health challenges.
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