Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - (Page 2) Enhancing academic outcomes [screening makes sense] “ We screen for VISION because it’s key to learning.” “ We screen for HEARING because it’s key to learning.” “ We screen for MENTAL HEALTH because it’s key to learning.” Words by: David Raleigh, MA, LPC, grade 5-8 counselor and at-risk coordinator, referring to his district’s rationale for considering the emotional wellness of students as integral to their achievement—academic and beyond. Impetus: Two student suicides during the 2003-2004 school year in Lewis County posed a sobering call to action for the community—including the schools. “Student suicide has pretty profound effects on everyone, including the people working here We want to do whatever we can to identify and assist students who are struggling, whether that struggle is emotional or academic.” Supporting statistic: Research has shown that nationally, 11 percent of youngsters have trouble at school, at home or with peers because of a mental illness. In Missouri, this number may be even higher, evidenced by a rate of suicide 14 percent greater than U.S. averages for children ages 10-19. (SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001-2005 mean) Rationale: Early detection of these disorders is key to better outcomes— emotionally, physically and academically. Program: The Columbia University TeenScreen® Program, a research-based, award-winning program to identify youths at risk for depression and other mental disorders that may lead to thoughts and acts of self-harm. Noteworthy: By forging a productive alliance to obtain assistance from its Missouri Regional Resource Center for suicide prevention, housed at the Mark Twain Area Counseling Center in Hannibal, the Lewis County District completed student screenings within two days in October 2007. His words to education policymakers: “We didn’t want to be knee-jerk, but put a more sustainable program in place. Part of that is conducting mentalhealth screening at a couple of different age levels, and repeating it on an annual basis We’ve gotten a good deal of support from our administration.” Learn more: Contact David Raleigh, his colleague Michael Wagner, an elementary counselor, or Lewis County District Superintendent Jacqueline Ebeling at talkback@wellawaresp.org. To review evidence-based suicideprevention programs for schools, visit the federally funded national Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) at www.sprc.org. HELPING YOU TO BE Well Aware A message from Missouri Governor Matt Blunt Our students face a complicated world in their journey of learning. Tragedies like those at Columbine High School, Virginia Tech, Northern Illinois University and elsewhere across our country serve as a reminder that we cannot ignore that some of our children have special needs which must be identified and addressed early. This is one of the reasons that I have called for $2 million in incentive funding to support school-based mental-health services for Missouri young people. If approved by the General Assembly, this funding, available beginning July 1, will help ensure our students receive assistance they need to remain emotionally healthy and perform well in school. With two-year cost sharing grants from the state, school districts can provide mentalhealth professionals located directly in schools, working side-by-side with teachers, guidance counselors and administrators. I hope that districts throughout our state will take advantage of this opportunity to improve academics by boosting on-site student mental-health services. With their help, we can protect the vitality of our young people, our communities and our society. 2 WELL AWARE MISSOURI VOL. 1, ISSUE 2 WINTER 2007-2008 http://www.teenscreen.org/ http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/summary.html http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/summary.html http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/summary.html http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate10_sy.html http://www.sprc.org http://go.missouri.gov/
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 Mindful Strides Enhancing Academic Outcomes Helping You to Be Well Aware Transforming Systems, Transforming Lives Safe Spaces for All Solution Climate Change Be Well Aware Talk Back Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - Mindful Strides (Page 1) Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - Helping You to Be Well Aware (Page 2) Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - Solution (Page 3) Well Aware - Winter 2007-2008 - Talk Back (Page 4)
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