Author: Psychiatry

Mental Health Update

Identifying Youth with Behavioral/Emotional Problems

The Importance of Caring

Teachers play a crucial role in the intellectual
development of children. Teachers also play an important role in children’s mental health. Mental health concerns can impact the learning of the individual child as well as the child’s classmates. An important idea for educators to remember is that students come to school each day with more than just their backpack and lunch. They may also bring issues from their home environment, their neighborhood, and/or their own internal issues (Whelley et. al, 2002). Teachers are in an excellent position to observe a child’s behavior in school and to identify when additional support is needed.

It is important to remember that good mental health goes beyond the absence of mental illness; it includes having skills necessary to cope with life’s stressors and challenges (Whelley et. al., 2002). There is a known relationship between a child’s mental heath and academic, social, and emotional achievement (Whelley et. al., 2002). Therefore, it is crucial to provide children with opportunities to enhance their skills. In doing so, it is important to identify those students who are in need of more than just “disciplinary” action.
The U.S Surgeon General’s 2000 Report on Children’s Mental Health estimates that one in five children will experience a mental health problem during their school years and only 30% of these students
receive the proper type of help in regards to their mental health problem.
To help increase the number of students receiving care, it is up to you, as their educators, administrators, nurses, counselors, and aides to identify the students who are in need and help provide them with the opportunity to receive the proper support and
guidance.

Normality and exceptionality (deviance) are not absolutes; both are
culturally defined by
particular societies at
particular times for
particular purposes.
- Ruth Benedict

*NEWS FLASH*
“ Recent studies indicate that approximately 1 in every 5 students in the Nation's schools have significant mental health problems that need attention. Their problems cause pain and emotional distress, and they compromise their chances for fully using learning opportunities and for ultimately succeeding. These problems not only present challenging behaviors such as aggression and disruption, but also can cause internal turmoil through feelings such as anxiety and depression." - Report from the Summit on the MCHB Initiative on Mental Health, 1998
Retrieved on December 12th, 2006 from: www.smhp.psych.ucla.edu/report2.htm

References:
Whelley, P., Cash, G., Bryson, D. (2002). The ABC’s of Children’s Mental Health. Here’s How, 21 (1)
U.S. Public Health Service. (2000). Report of the Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health: A national action agenda. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from: www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/cmh/childreport.htm
¹ Developed by the Center for School Mental Health Analysis and Action for the Maryland School Mental Health Alliance (2006)

You should make a referral to mental health services if you notice any of the following:
You should consider making a referral if you notice any of the following:

Mood
Displays consistently sad, bland, irritable, or angry ex
pressions
and behaviors
Is fearful in ordinary situations
Experiences major temper outbursts
School/Classroom Social and Academic Performance
Demonstrates a drop in grades or school work output,
or repeated academic/social failure
Tends to be disruptive in class or is the “class clown”
Demonstrates consistent apathy towards peers and
academic/social activities
Is unable to sit still, is always getting into trouble, or
must keep getting up from her or his seat,
Is consistently tardy or truant
Demonstrates a generalized, pervasive disregard and
disdain for adult direction/authority
Displays isolating, withdrawn behavior; does not inter
act with other children
Constantly spends time with anti-social peers and/or
older peers
Self-Deprecation/Self Harm
Makes disparaging or self-abusive statements
Frequently talks about or is preoccupied with death,
the devil, violence, doom, catastrophe, etc.
Makes statements about wanting to die or wanting “not
to be a bother” to others anymore
Makes suicidal gestures or threats
Behaves in ways that are dangerously impulsive
Loss
Has had a major loss in her or his life such as:
- death of a family member or friend
- friend has moved away
- break-up of romantic relationship
Actual or Possible Abuse
Has been a victim of sexual and/or physical abuse or
neglect
Has frequent, unexplained bruises, wounds, or other
signs of physical injury
Dangerous, Oppositional Behaviors
Steals
Runs away from home
Fights with peers, parents, or teachers
Possible Psychiatric Symptoms
Has auditory or visual hallucinations
Has delusions- believes that something is occurring
when it clearly is not; an inability to distinguish
between fantasies/wishes and reality
Makes bizarre, nonsensical statements
Speaks rapidly and in a pressured manner
Experiences memory loss or inability to recall events
Experiences lapses in awareness of time
Other
Makes statements about a problematic family/home
situation
Loses or gains a significant amount of weight

This story can fit 150-200 words.
One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports.
While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.
A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.
Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

This story can fit 75-125 words.
Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.

This story can fit 100-150 words.
The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

This story can fit 150-200 words.
One benefit of using your newsletter as a promotional tool is that you can reuse content from other marketing materials, such as press releases, market studies, and reports.
While your main goal of distributing a newsletter might be to sell your product or service, the key to a successful newsletter is making it useful to your readers.
A great way to add useful content to your newsletter is to develop and write your own articles, or include a calendar of upcoming events or a special offer that promotes a new product.
You can also research articles or find “filler” articles by accessing the World Wide Web. You can write about a variety of topics but try to keep your articles short.
Much of the content you put in your newsletter can also be used for your Web site. Microsoft Publisher offers a simple way to convert your newsletter to a Web publication. So, when you’re finished writing your newsletter, convert it to a Web site and post it.

This story can fit 75-125 words.
Selecting pictures or graphics is an important part of adding content to your newsletter.
Think about your article and ask yourself if the picture supports or enhances the message you’re trying to convey. Avoid selecting images that appear to be out of context.
Microsoft Publisher includes thousands of clip art images from which you can choose and import into your newsletter. There are also several tools you can use to draw shapes and symbols.
Once you have chosen an image, place it close to the article. Be sure to place the caption of the image near the image.

This story can fit 100-150 words.
The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.
You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.
If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.
Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.