Essay
Bill HF 3542
How can we adjust our education centers for students to get the help they need? This bill I am to present involves mental health inside schools. I have found two different answers to help solve an impending problem such as this.
Our schools need to acknowledge the mental health crisis of young students and do their best to help them. One example is anxiety disorders. Children with this usually struggle during class since they cannot focus on their work. They are too worried and usually have stomach problems or headaches. On many occasions, they are absent as well because of these struggles. With other mental health issues like depression or eating disorders, children are absent too.
There are two main parts of my bill. With the first section, guardians can apply to have their students excused for their missing attendance during any or the whole time school is in session. Schools will give free exemptions to any students with a note from their mental health professional or physician. This will take much of the severe stress off of students who are struggling with anxiety, depression, burnout, etc.
The other significant part of my bill requires schools to have a mental health space. It will be used whenever a student feels they need it. Therefore it includes time spent outside of a regular school day. Through this, they can talk to a mental health professional through telehealth on a school-issued device. We offer this because students can be different inside and outside of school. For example, they can hold it together at school but things fall apart at home. Or it could be the other way around.
One possible negative can result from my bill. When students miss a lot of school it can be pretty easy for them to fall behind. This is especially harder for younger children who are learning the early fundamentals. Schools have a harder time teaching them and will have to send the materials with them. However, since our technology has advanced it will be easier to communicate and teach them online.
With my bill, I have found ways to effectively help school districts in need mental health care. Students can be excused for their absence because of mental health-related issues. They will also get the opportunity to seek a telehealth provider inside of the school, whenever they need the help. Mental health is just as important as other things, and should not be an ignored issue any longer.
Sources
Problems at School | Association for Children’s Mental Health. (2019, March 10). ACMH.
Mountain Heights Academy | Utah Online Public School Grade 7-12 - How School Affects Mental Health: Understanding the Impact on Students. (n.d.).
Arky, B. (2024, June 24). Why are kids different at home and at school? Child Mind Institute.
Regional Educational Laboratory Program (REL). (n.d.). Missing school and the risk of falling behind: Chronic Absenteeism in the early grades (Part 1).