Mental Well-Being for student success

"By empowering young adults to speak openly about mental health, we can reduce stigma, encourage help seeking, and prevent suicides."

-Active Minds

The Issue

Half of mental health issues begin by age 14.

According to a 2015 report on Student Mental Health in California’s K-12 Schools:

  • More than three-quarters of the principals who responded to the survey—across all school levels—cited students' “social, emotional, and mental health” as a moderate or severe problem at their schools.

  • Over 60% of high school principals reported “student depression” as a moderate or severe problem among their students.

In a recent survey of students in high school districts across California, students expressed that they were overwhelmed with school work, the well-being of their families, general uncertainty, and missing out on their high school experience. Prior to the pandemic, 22% of students reported receiving mental health services. By the time of the survey, that number had increased to 54%.

In a national survey conducted by the organization Active Minds, 8 in 10 high school and college students reported struggling with focusing on school or work and avoiding distractions.

Action Steps

Continued support and increased funding of wellness resources is necessary in the district for the continued student success of students. Increasing counseling staff can help but additional measures must be used. Embedded mental wellness in the curriculum, strategic community partnerships, and the support of the well-being of teachers and staff can help in promoting wellness in the district.