Hundreds of people gathered at UB with the goal of protecting children facing mental health crises.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The mental health crisis is on the minds of many educators and health professionals who work with young people.
A meeting was held at UB on Wednesday to address the issue, with the group Together for Mental Health Advocacy and Resources (SMART) looking at ways different groups can work together.
According to SMART data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health among adolescents continues to worsen in the U.S. The CDC report, which used data from a decade, found that more than four in 10 students felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021. More than one in five seriously considered suicide.
“A lot of educators have been taught that they should teach math first, teach social studies first, and then worry about the well-being of kids,” said Hamburg Schools Superintendent Michael Cornell. “It’s really about giving those people permission to put the well-being of kids first.”
Educators and health officials say the challenges have been real since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“Children’s mental health needs are going to increase. The social impacts are huge. Missing school has a huge impact on children’s socialization and socialization skills,” said Dr. Anahita Ball, an associate professor in UB’s School of Social Work.
“Not everyone needs to be a mental health provider, but in the youth services field, you need people who understand what kids need and know how to get help for them,” she said.
“A lot is being asked of teachers, and this is all about providing resources and support to help teachers and their families,” Erie County Deputy County Superintendent Lisa Kimera, a former teacher herself, told 2 On Your Side.
