Supporting Student Mental Health in CCS

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness month, a national observance that started in 1949 by Mental Health America to bring attention to the importance of mental well-being. This month serves as a reminder to focus on the significance of mental health and its impact on our overall well-being. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, Cleveland City Schools is excited to announce two specific initiatives that will support the mental health and wellness of our students.

Why is Mental Health Awareness Important? 
To understand the significance of Mental Health Awareness Month, we need to first know about mental health among children and young people. The following statistics show the urgency of addressing mental health concerns early and providing adequate support and resources:

• 1 in 6 youth aged 6-17 years old experience a mental health disorder each year in the United States, and only half receive treatment (National Alliance on Mental Illness; NAMI).

• 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14, with 75% developing by age 24 (NAMI).

• 42% of high school students reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year. This percentage is higher for females (57%), Hispanic students (46%), multiracial students (49%), and lesbian, gay or bisexual students (69%) (CDC, 2023).

• Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults, ages 10-34 (CDC, 2023).

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. By increasing awareness about mental health and providing resources and support, we can break down barriers and encourage individuals, including our students, to seek the help they need without fear of judgment or discrimination. Together, we can create a culture of acceptance and understanding where everyone feels valued and supported.

A Partnership for School-Based Mental Health Services
Cleveland City Schools is excited to share our new partnership with Centerstone to provide school-based therapy services to students beginning in the 2024/2025 school year. We believe access to school-based therapy services is an incredible benefit to families and school-aged children and youth, and reduces common barriers to consistent mental and behavioral health treatment such as lack of transportation, inflexible work schedules, and disruptions to a student’s school day. 

• Students with TennCare insurance will be eligible to receive therapy services from a licensed mental health therapist provided by Centerstone on school premises. 

• Students who are uninsured may still be eligible for school-based therapy services under the Safety Net Program. 

• Students with private health insurance can be referred to Centerstone for outpatient therapy services, but they are not eligible for school-based therapy services.

If you are interested in your student receiving school-based therapy services through Centerstone, please contact your student’s school counselor. For more information about Centerstone and their school-based therapy program, please visit their website.

Empowering Families to Support Mental Health
In addition to our partnership with Centerstone, we are dedicated to empowering our families and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to effectively support youth mental health. To this end, we are pleased to announce that Cleveland City Schools will offer free training in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) to all family members and caregivers of Cleveland City Schools students. Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach adults who regularly interact with youth how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

By educating our families and caregivers, we can create a network of support that extends beyond the school walls, positively impacting the overall well-being of our students. Beginning this summer, the YMHFA course will be offered to families periodically throughout the year as interest is expressed. To be certified, you must complete a 2-hour self-paced online course followed by a 4.5-hour, instructor-led in-person class.