PITTSBURGH — As the new school year approaches, the ongoing mental health crisis among children and teens remains a significant concern across the nation. In Pennsylvania, however, a valuable resource aimed at addressing this issue has yet to be utilized by schools.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has informed KDKA-TV that a free mental health training program is currently available to all school employees, from coaches and cafeteria workers to nurses and teachers. Despite its availability, schools in Pennsylvania have not yet taken advantage of this resource.
As students prepare for the school year, gathering backpacks and supplies, the question remains whether they are equipped to manage mental health challenges. According to a recent poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, 84% of Americans believe that school staff can play a crucial role in identifying signs of mental health issues in students.
However, the poll also revealed a concerning statistic. Rawle Andrews Jr., Executive Director of the APA Foundation, pointed out that only 45% of respondents believe that school staff are receiving adequate training to fulfill this role.
“Approximately two-thirds of teachers have access to some form of mental health training,” Andrews explained. “But this training often excludes other essential school staff, such as coaches, cafeteria workers, custodians, and school resource officers.”
The APA offers a program called “Notice. Talk. Act. at School,” which provides free training for school staff. Andrews likened the program to “stop, drop, and roll” for mental health, emphasizing its importance in equipping all school personnel with the tools needed to recognize, address, and act on potential mental health concerns.
The first step, according to Andrews, is to notice the signs: “Recognizing when something seems unusual or out of the ordinary for a student.”
Next, school staff are encouraged to talk: “How can educators become better active listeners so that when they notice something, they can engage in a comfortable and courageous conversation with the student?”
Finally, the program emphasizes the need to act: “By providing tools, tips, and resources, we ensure that staff members beyond just the school nurse or counselor can effectively support students when they see something concerning,” Andrews said.
Despite the program’s benefits, it has not yet been implemented in Pennsylvania schools. Andrews expressed a strong desire to change that.
“We need to bring this training to Western Pennsylvania and across the commonwealth. Everyone who interacts with our students, over an eight- to 10-hour period, needs to be equipped with the resources, tools, and tips to help,” Andrews emphasized.
The training, funded by a federal grant, is available at no cost to schools, staff, and parents, making it an accessible and essential resource for enhancing mental health support in schools across Pennsylvania.
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