NASHVILLE – The State Collaborative on Educational Reform (SCORE) and Nashville Health today hosted more than 200 community, education, and mental health leaders to discuss the challenges facing student mental health in Tennessee and how they impact educational outcomes. We considered ways to deal with the impact on
Nearly one in four Tennessee youth has at least one of the 10 most common mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problems. “Connecting the Dots: Mental Health and Student Success in Tennessee” The symposium, held at Lipscomb University, provided a platform for stakeholders to share innovative programs, best practices, and student life experiences. It also highlighted research gaps on the impact of mental health services on the state’s educational outcomes and included the release of new county-level data from the Belmont Data Collaborative on mental health vulnerabilities in Tennessee.
“Today, we are inspiring and connecting state and national organizations working on research and programs that support positive mental health for students to elevate the bright spots and scientific evidence that can contribute to Tennessee’s programs.” We want to focus on research-based research,” said Founder and Director, Senator Bill Frist. said the president of Nashville Health and SCORE.
The Belmont Data Collaborative’s Connecting the Dots: Mental Health and Student Success in Tennessee report, created in partnership with SCORE and NashvilleHealth, created a mental well-being index for communities in all 95 counties in the state. Here are the findings:
- At the county level, Tennessee’s mental health vulnerabilities are concentrated in the eastern and western parts of the state.
- The three most vulnerable counties in the state are Hancock, Lake and Haywood.
- The most vulnerable ZIP codes in the state are Memphis and Chattanooga.
“We hope this study will motivate stakeholders to take action to address the mental health and student success crisis in Tennessee and continue the dialogue that will lead to lasting change for our state and our youth.” I hope so,” Catherine said. Mr. Bass, Director of Belmont Data Collaborative.
“We recognize that this crisis is too big for any one group or policymaker to solve alone,” said Senator Frist. “The burden cannot rest solely on the shoulders of schools, parents, and health care providers. Addressing this pressing issue requires collective awareness and action from all of us.”
In addition to new data from the Belmont Data Collaborative, the event also highlighted the Sycamore Institute’s latest report: Child Mental Health Programs and Services in Tennessee. The symposium also featured panel discussions on topics such as “Identifying Mental Health Needs in Education” and “Tennessee’s Approach to Supporting Student Mental Health and Well-Being.”
Featured speakers include representatives from state and national organizations such as the Belmont Data Collaborative, BRIDGES USA, Communities in Schools, Harvard University, Jed Foundation, Sandy Hook Promise, The Sycamore Institute, and Vanderbilt University. Laura Morton, author, producer, and co-director of the award-winning documentary “Anxious Nation,” served as the keynote speaker. The event also gave attendees the opportunity to meet Sergeant Beau, the Nashville Metro Police Department’s school therapy dog.
