The Challenge:
The mental health struggles brought on students by the isolation of school closures during the pandemic linger in schools. Both students and educators report more negative behavior events in schools and increased needs for mental health services; children struggle to socialize and cope with stress.
School social workers and outside service providers such as the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund are looking for ways to better care for students struggling to navigate growing up and respond to the increased need for mental wellness care.
The Approach:
The St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund partnered with SKIP to conduct a community-based system dynamics process to understand the mental health needs of school children in St. Louis County. SKIP engaged dozens of students and educators in two of the county’s largest school districts: Rockwood and Hazelwood. During the meetings, the students and educators mapped out what affects their mental wellness for better and worse.
The Results:
Students feel best in school when they have classmates and adults they can turn to for positive interactions when they’re struggling to get a handle on their emotions. Specifically, the students and school staff who worked with SKIP identified five things that positively impact students’ mental health:
Relationships with trusted adults
Students have stronger relationships with school staff when they feel comfortable around staff and are able to open up to them. If staff are able to help students to address their problems, that can build that comfort and strong bond and a positive loop. When there’s no trust, there are fewer ways for students to get help, which creates more challenges.
Strong friendships
Good friendships are a key part of students’ mental wellbeing and relieving stress. Without friends, students carry their burdens alone and can feel isolated. Friendships work best if students’ trust isn’t violated through actions such as spreading gossip or sharing secrets.
A positive sense of self
If a student feels good about him or herself, their confidence builds and they become mentally stronger and more capable. Schools setting unattainable goals can hinder this, as can piling on too many goals.
Having strategies to cope with emotional hardship
Supportive networks can interrupt negative loops and reduce self doubt. Mentors, for example, can help students develop strategies for managing expectations and meeting goals. They can also help build the strong relationships students need.
A supportive home environment
Beyond the school, families and home life play an important role in student wellbeing too. When home life is unsettled, students can come to school distracted and on edge. It’s great when family members can teach students coping strategies for stress, but this can also come from the school to be used at home.
From that list, the following are areas of potential intervention:
- Train all adults working in a school to support students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs in an appropriate and relevant way.
- Provide programs that create connections between students and adults in schools and that help students build stronger relationships with classmates.
- Improve structures for how adults address the mental health needs of students.
- Provide several ways for students to develop a positive sense of self and healthy relationships.
You can learn more about the St. Louis County Children’s Services Fund on their website.