{"id":26865,"date":"2024-05-06T18:25:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T18:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/?page_id=26865"},"modified":"2024-05-06T18:25:02","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T18:25:02","slug":"educators-promote-student-help-seeking-stigma-report","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/educators-promote-student-help-seeking-stigma-report\/","title":{"rendered":"How Educators Can Promote Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Unraveling the Stigma: Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Support Among U.S. Teens<\/a>, a new research report published by JED, shows that teens often struggle to reach out for support even though they understand how important mental health is and that getting help is crucial.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The top barriers that prevent teens from reaching out for mental health support are their fear they won\u2019t be understood by others and their discomfort talking about difficult feelings. Mental health stigma, including shame or embarrassment associated with difficult emotions, is persistent among older <\/span>generations<\/span><\/a>, but it is not a top barrier among today\u2019s young people. It is, however, more common among Asian, Hispanic\/Latinx, Black\/African American, and LGBT+ teens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The research indicates that teens need more opportunities to learn about and practice expressing their feelings and seeking help for emotional challenges. They also need more encouragement and examples of how to find support for mental health issues, <\/span>as<\/span> well as more information about what they should expect when they ask for help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The following is a list of recommendations for educators, school leaders, and district administrators to create school communities that support help-seeking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Equip School Staff and Faculty to Identify and Respond to Student Mental Health Concerns<\/b><\/h2>\n

Since teens engage most closely with teachers, teachers should know how to notice and respond to mental health concerns. The same is true for other school staff and faculty, such as coaches, aides, security guards, and counselors. Schools should offer annual staff training to address help-giving skills and increase staff awareness about the student body\u2019s mental health needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Schools should create policies for staff members to help increase warm handoffs to wellness centers or the counseling department when a need is identified.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make Mental Health Resources More Accessible to Students<\/b><\/h2>\n

Students need to know how to get help both in and outside of school. Schools can post signage around the building pointing teens to available resources so they can more easily seek help when they need it. QR codes that direct teens to crisis lines and community mental health resources, as well as codes to book an appointment with a wellness center counselor on campus, offer discreet ways to seek help. Schools should also identify evidence-based mental health and mindfulness apps and provide QR codes for easy access.<\/span><\/p>\n

To meet the diverse needs of student populations, schools can:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n