Detroit, MI – As nearly 49,000 students resumed in-person learning in the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) last week, educators and administrators are keenly aware of the mental health challenges many students are facing alongside their traditional academic pursuits. Recent data highlights the pressing need for robust mental health support in the district.
According to a 2021 study by Mental Health America, nearly 17% of Michigan teenagers aged 12 to 17 reported experiencing serious depressive episodes last year. Additionally, a 2022 report revealed that approximately 3% of children under the age of 18 in Michigan lack access to health insurance, while approximately 6% of Michigan children have private insurance that does not cover essential behavioral health services. Consequently, DPSCD schools have been left to grapple with the responsibility of addressing students’ mental health concerns.
In a recent interview with Outlier Media, DPSCD Deputy Superintendent Alycia Meriweather discussed the district’s proactive measures to support students’ mental health needs.
Identifying Common Student Mental Health Issues
Meriweather highlighted the importance of the universal wellness screener administered to all DPSCD students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The results help identify students in need of support. Tier two students benefit from small group counseling sessions, while tier three students require individual counseling. In terms of emotional states, Meriweather noted that while there was a slight decrease in sadness, anger, and worry among students in the past year, over half of kindergarten through fifth-grade students reported feeling scared, with approximately 42% experiencing this emotion.
Addressing Trauma, Depression, and Anxiety
For students in grades six to twelve, the district has witnessed a slight decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety, although a significant portion, roughly a quarter, still experience these issues. A noteworthy trend is that while depression symptoms increased nationally from 2019 to 2021, DPSCD saw a 10% decrease during the same period. Meriweather attributed this positive trend to the district’s intentional investments in behavioral health, funded through COVID-19 relief and post-pandemic initiatives.
Root Causes of Mental Health Challenges
The root causes of these challenges are multifaceted, with trauma exposure being a prevalent issue. Over half of DPSCD students reported the loss of a loved one within the past eight months, while almost one-third had experienced overnight hospital stays for themselves or family members.
Student-to-Counselor Ratio and Resource Allocation
Regarding the student-to-counselor ratio, DPSCD currently maintains a ratio of one counselor per 500 students for kindergarten through eighth grade and one counselor per 400 students for high school. Meriweather acknowledged that while these ratios are a start, there is an ongoing need for additional resources to meet the diverse needs of DPSCD students. She emphasized the importance of equitable funding that considers the specific needs of students, including English language learners, students living in poverty, and those dealing with trauma.
As the Detroit Public Schools Community District grapples with the mental health challenges its students face, the district remains committed to expanding resources and support to ensure the well-being and success of its young learners.
