Rising Concern

Recently we have had an abundant amount of students in need of social and emotional help.  Several days lately we have seen a rise in the amount of students that have talked suicide, practiced self harm, made anonymous tips, or even attempted to severely harm themselves.  We have seen several of our students admitted to BHC in recent weeks to get help.   These days have been taxing on both students and adults alike.  Why the sudden increase?  There might be various reasons that come to mind as we are not immune to seeing student despair.  Here are some that come to mind:

Social Media-  Snap Chat, Instagram, Facebook.  These apps are with kids all the time and are cause for school issues to go home with students and home issues to come to school as well.  Students struggle with taking breaks from these apps and as a result are faced with many emotions constantly.  Students share things that they do not intend to be shared with the world,  student see peers doing fun stuff that they themselves want to do which can lead to jealousy and even depression.  The amount of likes, streaks, and such are added stress for students.

Poverty-  57% of our students come from poverty and although we might not understand how students of poverty have phones to use social media most students have them and they value them as their prized possession, we know this by the conflict that happens when we try to confiscate their phones.  These students are faced with many stresses that unless you come from poverty it is hard to imagine.

Adolescence-  This is our business right?  It is also the time that students explore and are confused at the same time.  Friends and the social aspects of life often trump all other aspects.  Students are self conscious and often lack self confidence while feeling judged all the time by their peers, parents, and teachers.

Lack of Health Education-  Although we have some we are finding out that our some is not enough.  Just today our high school and Megan met to align curriculum and discuss the needs of our students.  A student support committee has been established in the corporation as well and has put together a crisis resource from which to work from and we have used it several times in the last couple of weeks.

Politics-  For our ELL students this is a stressful time for them and their families.  -

Netflix- For Families of Teens at Suicide Risk, ‘13 Reasons’ Raises Concerns

I am sure there are others as well, and we know that for many of the students that are most challenged by the above reasons,  they find it difficult to learn the all important content that we are trying to get them to learn each day.  Many of our most challenging students will not care about the content until their basic human needs are met.  I believe for some of our students it is nearly impossible for them to care about content until they know that we care about those needs.  I haven't even mentioned the ISTEP.

So what do we do?  Empathy, Empathy, and more empathy during this difficult time.  All the while we continue to have high expectations and connect with all of our students.  Thanks for helping our students.  What you do each day is so important and tough.  We are nearing the end of the year so finish strong and please know that you all are the best in these challenging days.