Conversations about mental health can be difficult and, at times, uncomfortable. The importance of equipping students to initiate these conversations and understand where to seek help in the case of a mental health crisis has never been more crucial.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 49.5% of adolescents aged 13-18 live with a mental disorder, and more than one in five of them experience significant impairment in their daily lives due to these issues. Further, psychiatrists have found that 50% of all mental illnesses begin by age 14, and 75% by a person’s mid-20s.
These statistics are daunting, highlighting the need for Lee County Schools' Student Services staff and mental health personnel to focus on Teen Mental Health First Aid Training for students in the district's high schools.
Sara Allen, a social worker with Lee County Schools, emphasized the growing nature of the problem: “We have so many young students, especially in middle and high school, struggling with their mental health. We see depression, anxiety, and trauma affecting many students.” She continued, “I think, as a state and nation, we are beginning to realize that we need to support these kids—helping them recognize their own symptoms and also enabling them to identify if a friend is dealing with a mental health challenge. These training sessions are designed to equip them with the skills to help themselves or a friend.”
Teen Mental Health First Aid is a program created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing specifically for teens. The training teaches students how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in their peers. It is designed to help students recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health issues while providing them with tools to open conversations about mental illnesses and substance use with friends. Additionally, the training teaches students how to seek help from a responsible and trusted adult.
Allen noted, “We don’t want them to take on the responsibility of diagnosing or treating their friends, but we do want them to recognize the warning signs of mental health challenges or crises and help connect their friends with the right resources. The sooner someone gets help, the better their long-term outlook will be.”
Azariah McLean, a freshman at Lee County High School, shared that she had noticed more friends and fellow students struggling with mental health during their transition to high school. “Honestly, I’ve noticed that as we’ve moved on to high school, people seem to be a bit sadder or more depressed, especially with the stress of high school work. With everything going on, it’s important to make sure the people you care about are okay.” She added, “I think this training is really useful because it will help me look out for my friends, especially if I notice changes in their behavior.”
In a world where suicide is the second-leading cause of death among youth aged 15-19, even professional mental health workers like Allen were surprised to find that many students weren’t aware of how prevalent mental health challenges are. “When we tell them the statistics and show them how many students are affected in real-time, it really opens their eyes.”
Allen concluded, “The biggest takeaway from this training is the hope of reducing the stigma surrounding mental health. We want to help students understand that there’s nothing wrong with someone experiencing depression or anxiety, and we aim to educate them, equipping them with the ability to recognize these signs and direct those affected toward the right support.”