Mental Health Of Public Schools - 3689 Words

Mental Health Education in Public Schools Diana Dorsey, Nicole Dunleavey, Erin Frye, Brittany Foote, and Ashleigh Weyant February 17th, 2015 NURS 430 Professor Pelland On our honor we have neither given nor received help on this assignment. Mental Health Education in Public Schools Suicide and self-harm are significant problems among adolescents aged 12-18 and has contributed to the major increase in suicide rates in the state of Virginia. Public schools in the state of Virginia are not doing a successful job at covering the topics of suicide prevention and mental health. We looked at the state requirements for education and mental health and suicide are required; however, the topics are covered for a very short time.†¦show more content†¦According to the State’s Public School curriculum, health and physical education classes are required to touch on mental health in 3 different grades and suicide prevention is only indicated for grade 10 (â€Å"Health Education Standards of Learning,† 2008). With the vast majority of adolescents attending public schools, there should be a mental health education program in effort to decrease the rise in suicide rates. Because the suicide rate is highest among adolescents ages 12-18, it is especially imp ortant that the state implements a mental health program into the public school curriculum. An education program to get adolescents involved in discussing mental illnesses in relation to suicide can be set in place for middle and high school students. The programs involve not only students, but also the faculty and staff, administrators, and parents. The goal of the execution of a mental health educational program in public school is to decrease the suicide rates of adolescents in Virginia ages 12 to 18 by eliminating social stigmas associated with talking about or seeking help for mental illness Statement of the Issue The state of Virginia requires that public schools address the issues of mental health and suicide during the health and physical education course. However, suicide prevention is only indicated for grade ten and the topic is not taken as seriously as necessary. Suicide prevention is covered for a very short time,