New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show three of every four high school students nationwide said they have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, including witnessing domestic violence in the home, parental separation or physical and sexual abuse, among others.
Research has shown the experiences, called ACEs, can alter a child’s brain chemistry and produce a prolonged, sometimes lifelong, toxic stress response.
Joe Bargione, a certified school psychologist and executive committee member of the Bounce Coalition, a Kentucky ACEs advocacy group, said the national data support the trends among youth in the Commonwealth.
“We’re seeing some of the same kinds of patterns,” Bargione outlined. “That increased sense of loneliness, isolation in our youth, increased levels of suicidal ideation, exposure to violence, exposure to other adverse childhood experiences.”
Experiencing at least one ACE as a child is linked to having alcohol and substance use problems as an adult, as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Childhood trauma costs states. According to the National Governor’s Associations, adults with ACEs can lead to billions of dollars in health care costs and lost productivity.
Bargione added schools can help address the youth mental health crisis by cultivating a sense of belonging and connectedness, as well as increasing suicide prevention programs.
“Promoting mental health awareness in schools,” Bargione urged. “Teaching kids around social emotional learning and dealing with their emotions in an effective way, increased mental health services.”
He pointed out recent changes to state law now require school districts to create trauma-informed plans.
“Creating those trauma-informed care plans and then reviewing those annually by the Kentucky Department of Education and also the General Assembly is really, I think, a great way to see what’s working, what’s not working,” Bargione explained.
Statewide, one in five children has already experienced at least two ACEs, according to Kentucky Youth Advocates.
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The growing crisis in Ohio’s child welfare system is drawing attention, particularly for its impact on children’s mental health.
Across the state, children with complex behavioral needs are struggling as placement options shrink and demand for specialized care reaches an all-time high.
Lindsay Sparks, protective services administrator for the South Central Ohio Job and Family Services, Children’s Division & Adult Protective Services, noted that despite efforts with mental-health providers, many agencies lack the resources to handle severe cases.
“We have had a young child, under the age of 10, who we have about 45 denials across the state, they feel that they cannot meet that child’s needs,” she said. “Children have had to spend the night at our agency. That is not ideal for our children, for our staff, for anyone – but it has happened.”
In some cases, Sparks added, agencies are forced to seek out-of-state placements – which can further complicate care for children already facing significant challenges. Recruitment efforts for foster families are ongoing, but the gap remains wide.
The crisis extends beyond placement shortages to escalating mental health concerns. Jody Walker, executive director of South Central Ohio Job and Family Services, highlighted how these issues have worsened over the past decade.
“The types of children that we’re seeing coming into care, that have more severe behavioral mental health issues, and our system really hasn’t been able to keep up with types of placements that benefit these kids the most,” he said. “The cost for those placements went up, at the tune of 300% in the last 10 years.”
As Ohio faces rising costs and limited resources, the County Commissioners Association has made child welfare a top priority in the upcoming biennial budget. The association is applauding Governor Mike DeWine’s commitment to children, and stresses that counties play a vital role in protecting them.
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As mental health challenges continue to rise among young people, advocates across North Carolina are pushing for increased access to mental health services in schools.
They are watching the upcoming election for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction closely.
Kathleen Daughety, vice president of campaigns and engagement for the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable, said the outcome could significantly help fill gaps in access to mental health services for children across the state.
“Increasing access to mental health care is our focus because half of people in the US who need mental health care are not getting it today,” Daughety pointed out. “That number is even worse for children; 70% of children who need mental health care aren’t able to access it.”
A recent poll by Inseparable showed it is an issue resonating with voters. About 88% believe expanding mental health care access should be a top priority for elected officials.
Graham Palmer, director of systems innovation and policy for the nonprofit Rural Opportunity Institute, explained barriers like broadband and workforce shortages and limited funding make it difficult to provide the necessary services, especially in rural areas. He believes schools can make a life-changing difference for kids.
“Sometimes schools are the only access point that systems of care can get to for kids, because there’s transportation challenges,” Palmer explained. “There may be time challenges, if the student has a job or they just don’t have extra time to be driving an hour to see a therapist.”
The Superintendent of Public Instruction would play a key role in shaping school policies, funding, and resources directly affecting whether schools can provide mental health services. The Democratic candidate, Maurice “Mo” Green recently signed Inseparable’s “Mental Health Now” statement of support. He worked as the superintendent of North Carolina’s third-largest school district and pointed out addressing the workforce is going to be crucial to giving students the support they need.
“The school psychologist’s major association would recommend a ratio of about one school psychologist,” Green noted. “For every 500 students, in North Carolina that ratio is almost 1 to 1,800.”
Green is facing off against Republican nominee Michelle Morrow, who is a nurse and homeschool educator in Wake County. Her campaign website shows she supports school choice and increasing school resource officers.
Advocates are also calling for state policymakers to invest in expanded school-based mental health programs and improve crisis response efforts.
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Parents in North Dakota are likely getting a sense of how their child’s school year is going so far. If bullying issues have emerged, the research community hopes educators and families take a careful approach to achieve better outcomes now and in the future.
Throughout Bullying Prevention Month in October, messaging on this topic is likely to be prominent in school settings.
Shelley Hymel, a retired developmental and educational psychologist and professor at the University of British Columbia has done extensive research in this field. She said it’s no surprise that repeated bullying can negatively affect a student’s academic performance, and how they deal with problems the rest of their lives.
Hymel wants anyone who still thinks it makes a child more resilient to think again.
“Kids who are victimized, you know, just sit there all day wondering what’s going to happen to them next. I’ve had notes from kids saying how that’s their life, that’s how their world is,” she said.
Hymel said that’s why it’s important for schools to not lose sight of social and emotional learning and teach children empathy. North Dakota law requires districts to adopt a bullying policy and explain it to students. On its website, the Department of Public Instruction offers guidance for parents, including listening calmly and offering comfort and support if their child says they’re being targeted.
Hymel said researchers are still finding new tidbits of information, even after schools have adopted successful approaches. For example, in school settings where bullying was significantly reduced, the few remaining students still being singled out had it even worse.
“When you end up being the last kid, the one kid who was still being bullied, it takes a toll on your self esteem,” she explained.
That’s why the academic community, schools, and parents need to remain vigilant about overcoming any side effects as policies take shape, she added. Earlier this year, British researchers released findings showing bullying in childhood lowers the probability of having a job throughout adulthood, and puts a person at greater risk for premature death.
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