Mental

Crisis in Children

Mental health refers to a persons psychological and emotional state. Many disorders can affect
someones emotional and psychological well-being and knowing how to treat it or cope with it is
the first step to overcoming it.i Within the United States 1 in 5 children deals with a mental
disorder, that is about 20% of all children.ii In many cases, the child itself does not know that they
are suffering from a mental disorder, or even know what a mental illness is. Teaching mental
health in elementary school is the first step to helping kids overcome their emotional and
psychological problems. Many individuals do not figure out that they are dealing with a mental
disorder until later in their life time and sometimes its harder to treat. People go untreated for
years and sometimes this can lead to drastic measures or worse symptoms. When someone
dealing with a mental disorder does not reach out for help symptoms can worsen and their
emotional and psychological state is substandard. Out of all of the teens dealing with a mental
illness, only 1/3 of them gets actual help. The other 2/3 of the children get little to no help.iii This
is a drastic problem because this means that the children and individuals around them are not
aware that they suffer from a mental disorder. Not being aware that they are dealing with a
mental illness prevents them from seeking help and bettering their psychological well-being.
Children should be conscious of the signs and symptoms of mental disorders in order to reach
out for support. They should recognize that there are people that can aid them and that they do
not have to go cope with it alone. Educating the youth and making them aware that having
mental problems is normal can help them succeed in school and in life.

Teaching mental health can help decrease:

Failure in school: Kids who deal with a mental disorder lack the motivation to go to school.
Approximately 50% of students who are 14 years or older and suffers from a mental illness
drops out of high school.iv

Potential unlawful behavior: Kids who have a mental illness, seeks no helps, drops out of
school, and is more likely to be involved in unlawful activity. 70% of youth in state and
local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness. v

Suicide: Children who commit suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages and
25% of those who died by suicide had a mental illness.vi



The effects of cutting funds in education

President Trump and Secretary Betsy De-Vos have revealed the new budget plan for the year 2018.
According to Trump and De-Vos, educational funds will be cut by 13.5 %, which is a total of about
nine billion dollars.vii This is an enormous cut in education, which will affect the students and the
teachers tremendously. Many students who attend these programs will no longer be able to get the
help and assistance they need. The after school programs that are in place are supposed to help the
students succeed and further understand material learned in class. Some programs area also in
place for students to practice what they have learned in class. This helps them really comprehend
and apply the material. Without these programs there will be an increase of students who perform
worse in their classes and could potentially fail their courses. This cut will also hurt the teachers
as the teachers support will no longer be needed. Teacher support is vital for students as they rely
on them for extra help and encouragement but with these programs it is impossible for them to
assist.viii This budget cut will also effect the chances of having more funds required for mental
health programs.

Mental health is undermined and there are no programs or classes in place as of now that help
students comprehend what mental health is or what its effects. Instead of cutting funds for
education, there needs to be an increase in education. There needs to be more school psychologists
and programs that focus on mental health. There should also be an increase in school awareness.
Though increasing money on education might seem unnecessary, it is vital for students to be aware
of their emotional and mental state. Eventually, educating students about mental health will help
save hundreds and thousands of dollars. If more children are educated and know how to cope with
their mental illness they can seek help and avoid many problems in the future.

Decrease the amount of juvenile in prison

It will decrease the amount of juveniles in prison and that alone is about $148,767 a year.
ix
Incarcerating a teen involves a lot of money and time. We could decrease the number of
teens in prison is we were to spend more and time on implementing mental health
programs and classes. 70 percent of the children in prison deal with a mental disorder and
if they all knew who to speak to or where to get help then the outcomes might differ.x

Figure 1: This figure demonstrates the percentage of prisoners who

are dealing with a mental disorder.
Drop-out rates will decrease

Spending education funds on mental health will also help decrease the amount of children
who drop out of high school and it will help increase graduation rates. Half of the students
who drop out of high school suffer from some type of mental disorder. Many of them do
not reach out for help and in most cases they are not aware themselves that they are even
suffering from a mental illness. Implementing programs in school would help students
understand their own mental disorder and help them reach out for help. Those who drop
out of school usually become overwhelmed with school and feel alone.

Suicide rates will decrease

With more funds going towards education, students can have a better education in mental
health which will help reduce suicide rates. 24 percent of students who commit suicide
have an underlying mental illness.xi A student who suffers from anxiety, depression, or
any other kind of mental disorder is more likely to feel alone and overwhelmed with
school. The feeling of loneliness and hopelessness can sometimes lead them to make a
drastic decision like taking away their own lives. Educating kids in mental health can help
them understand that they are not alone and that there is a way to get help and get better.
Programs and mental health advisers are necessary and should be implemented in
elementary schools. Children should learn from a young age about mental health so they
can be aware of the signs and be aware of what to do if they are suffering from a mental
illness.

Top three mental disorders in children

There are many different types of mental disorders that one can suffer from and many of them do
not become present until early adult hood or late teen years. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
are great examples of disorders that are not seen until early adult hood and that is because the brain
has just finished developing. The brain does not stop developing until your early 20s so until then,
the brain is still going through mental and environmental changes.xii But, not all disorders take a
while to be diagnosed or acknowledged. Depression, anxiety, and attention deficiency/ hyperactive
disorder are the top three most common disorders that are displayed in teens and young children.xiii
These disorders get in the way of childs education and personal life. If these conditions go
untreated or unrecognized they can have significant effects. Usually the symptoms and effects of
these disorders appear very early in childhood and if acknowledged, there are better chances for
the child to get treated. Dealing with a mental disorder is very difficult, but if found early there are
ways people can treat it.

Depression

Depression is a very common mental disorder in children and in teens. Even though, it is normal
sometimes for teenagers to feel down or out of place, it is not normal for them to feel like they
 cannot escape their sadness. Depression or clinical depression is more than just feeling sad or
down.xiv Clinical depression is when the feeling of sadness or loneliness lasts for more than two
weeks. A child dealing with depression will lose interest in daily activities and it will affect their
everyday life. In teens and in children depression will affect their personal like and their life in
school.xv It will affect how a they feel, think, sleep, eat, and how they perform in school. Easy and
every day activities become hard and impossible to perform.xvi They lose interest in everything and
in teens the symptoms can become evident. Depression can also lead to other mental disorder if
untreated and can lead to drastic consequences such as suicide. 20 percent of all l teens deal with
depression or suffer from depression before their adult hood years.xvii This number can be lowered
if school staff was properly trained and if the kids were properly educated in mental health. There
needs to implemented programs and psychologist that deal and help kids comprehend the severity
of mental illnesses.

Figure 2: This graph demonstrates the amount of children who have been diagnosed with depression in
the last year alone.

Symptoms of a child who is suffering from depression

Excessive sleeping

Someone with depression will sleep more than the usual or less that the usual. They can
suffer from insomnia as they have a hard time staying or falling at sleep.xviii They can also
sleep for a long period of time and most of the time they will not have the energy to do
anything. Nothing will seem to charm them and many teenagers and children will refuse to
get up to go to school and will rather sleep all day or just lay in bed.


Low self-esteem

Children or teens who suffer from depression will have a very low self-esteem.xix They will
feel as they are not good enough and will lower themselves and their self-value. Many of
them perceive themselves are unattractive and might even feel as if they are not smart
enough.

Loss of interest

When a child is suffering from depression they will lose interest in everything.xx They will
begin to give away valuable possessions that at one point meant the world to them. They
will also lose start to believe that nothing is worth it and nothing around them will seem to
amuse them. In school a child might not be as worried about their grades, and huge decrease
in GPA with me noticed.

Lonely

A child with depression will much rather be alone and not want to be around others. They
will spend most of their time in their room or in they are in school they isolate themselves.xxi

These are some noticeable symptoms that a child is dealing with depression. Sometimes these
symptoms are not noticed or are taken as normal teen behavior. This is a huge misconception as
these symptoms are usually symptoms of kids who are dealing with a mental disorder or
depression. Knowing the symptoms and knowing when a child is suffering from depression is the
first step to aiding them and supporting them. Having school psychologists and school programs
that help the students and teachers to recognize these symptoms can have a huge impact in the
child mental health.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorder is another mental disorder that many kids and teens deal with. Unlike depression
where symptoms usually show up during adolescence, symptoms of anxiety start appearing as
early as the age of 6.xxii Anxiety is such broad topic and it includes disorders such as obsessive-
compulsive disorder, phobias, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder.xxiii All these
disorders fall under anxiety and though some symptoms are similar, most are very specific for each
disorder. About 80% of children who suffer from anxiety do not get treated for it.xxiv This can
impact a child tremendously in school as it can become extremely hard for them to concentrate or
complete their work. Their illness will get in the way of their work ethic and they will be unable
to perform normal daily activities. In order to lower the percentage rate of kids that go untreated,
teachers and student need to become more educated on what the symptoms are who they can reach
for help or support.

Symptoms for a child dealing with anxiety
Stress

A young teen or child with generalized anxiety disorder will usually feel overly stressed
all the time.xxv They will stress over simple tasks or over tasks of low importance. Simple
tasks such as completing a homework assignment might affect a child more than it should.
They will stress and be anxious about it even if its not as important.

Constant worry

A child that is dealing with anxiety will worry non- stop about minor and major things. It
will be inevitable for them to control these feelings.xxvi

Sleeping

A child with anxiety will have a hard time sleeping. Just like depression, a child with
anxiety will be restless and will have no energy.xxvii

Inability to focus

A child who has generalized anxiety disorder will have an extremely hard time focusing
and paying attention. They will blank out a lot and they will be unable to concentrate due
to reoccurring or d unwanted thoughts.xxviii In school this child will seem like they are never
paying attention or like they are always spacing out.

There are many different types of anxiety disorders but these symptoms are appropriate for most
types. Some disorders vary but in most anxiety disorders stress and constant worry are huge
factors. In kids the inability to focus in school is the primary problem and there should be ways to
help children to get help in order to succeed in school and in their daily lives. Generalized anxiety
disorder is a growing issue in children these symptoms should not go unnoticed. Educating and
raising awareness in mental health can help student succeed and have a normal and healthy life.

Attention deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder

Attention deficit hyper-activity disorder is a mental disorder where an individual will be
inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive.xxix This disorder is seen more in children as the symptoms
start to develop as early as the age of seven.xxx At times the symptoms of ADHD will be confused
with misconduct or lack of discipline. Children with ADHD will have a hard time staying still and
doing what they are told. A child dealing with ADHD will also have a hard time focusing in school
as they have a very small attention span. When they do try to focus their mind seems to wander
off and it becomes nearly impossible for them to pay attention.xxxi 8% of all children deal with
ADHD and its become a more common disorder.xxxii There are many ways to treat ADHD but one
must recognize the symptoms first. In school, staff should be trained to at least be able to recognize
when a child has potential signs of a mental disorder such as ADHD. This can help the child get
treated and it can help them learn more about their illness. Education and awareness is vital when
it comes to identifying and coping with a mental disorder.
Symptoms of a child dealing with ADHD

Inattentive

A child with ADHD will have an extremely hard time paying attention and focusing.xxxiii
Their attention span is very short and even when they do try to focus they will only do so
for a short period of time. This can make it extremely difficult to focus in school. In order
for them to pay attention and have a longer attention span they have to get treated and
diagnosed.

Hyperactive

Another major symptom of ADHD is the hyperactivity of the child. A child with ADHD
will be super active even at times when it is not appropriate.xxxiv Children seem to be very
fidgety and will behave randomly and even talk out of turn. They will be seen as someone
with a lot of energy and in class they might even be seen as disruptive. xxxv

Impulsive

A child dealing with ADHD will be very impulsive. They will perform impulsive actions
or say impulsive things.xxxvi They are unable to control what they do and therefore at times
the things they do will seem inappropriate. This can be very disruptive special in a school
setting as they might not be able to control what they say or do during class.

ADHD is a very difficult disorder to cope with but with the right treatment it is possible to control
the symptoms. It is vital to identify ADHD early in a child as it can expedite the treatment and the
coping process. The longer a child deals with untreated ADHD the more difficult school and life
itself will become. With the right education and programs students can receive the help they need.















Figure 3: This graph demonstrates the increase of children who have been
diagnosed with ADHD over the past decades.
Dealing with a mental disorder can be difficult, specially for children and teens. It is difficult to
cope and comprehend what a mental disorder is especially if you have not been educated on the
matter. It is critical to implement programs and psychologists in school so they teach kids from a
young age what a mental disorder is and how they can cope with it. These are some solutions
towards educating kids.

A mental health class should be incorporated in elementary school

Having a class that educates children on mental health and on different types of mental
disorders can help children understand the significance of it. Children can learn from a
young age how to cope and manage with a mental disorder. Educating the youth will allow
for less cases of mental disorder to go unheard. They can learn the symptoms

Teachers should be trained to recognize signs of kids who might be suffering from
a mental issue.

Though it is not their job, teachers should get better training at recognizing the signs and
symptoms of kids suffering from a mental disorder. Recognizing the symptoms early can
help avoid larger problems in the future and can help the student get the help they need.

Create a society within in school that recognizes mental health and values it

Offer programs for parents and children that help explain what mental health is and how
they can cope with it. Also, educate parents on how to support and assist their child. With
these programs both the child and the parent can learn how and where to seek help.

Have school psychologists that frequently speak with the children and checks up on them.
Un-like counselors who also deal with students scheduling, schools should have
specialized psychologist who on a weekly speak with the students and has a relationship.
They can guide the student and help them not only in their school but outside life as well.

Have posters around school that helps raise awareness of mental health. Having simple
things like posters and flyers around the school can help children believe that they are not
alone. This will help the children feel like there is people who can help them and that they
do not have to go through it by themselves.







i
Aspa. "What Is Mental Health?" What Is Mental Health? | MentalHealth.gov. March 12, 2013.
Accessed April 8, 2017. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health/.

ii
"NAMI." NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. Accessed April 8, 2017.
http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers.

iii
(US), National Institutes of Health. "Information about Mental Illness and the Brain." NIH
Curriculum Supplement Series [Internet]. January 01, 1970. Accessed April 8, 2017.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20369/.

iv
"NAMI." NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. Accessed April 8, 2017.
http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers.
v
Ibid
vi
Ibid
vii
Bendix, Aria. "Trump's Education Budget Revealed." The Atlantic. March 16, 2017.
Accessed April 8, 2017. https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/03/trumps-
education-budget-revealed/519837/.

viii
Ibid
ix
Sneed, Tierney. "What Youth Incarceration Costs Taxpayers." U.S. News & World Report.
December 09, 2014. Accessed April 9, 2017. https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-
mine/2014/12/09/what-youth-incarceration-costs-taxpayers.

x
"NAMI." NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. Accessed April 8, 2017.
http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers.

xi
NAMI." NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. Accessed April 8, 2017.
http://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers.
xii
"Brain Maturity Extends Well Beyond Teen Years." NPR. October 10, 2011. Accessed April
13, 2017. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708.

xiii
"The Top 3 Mental Health Problems for Adolescents." The Top 3 Mental Health Problems
for Adolescents | "Better Living" Health Articles | MyUHCare | University Hospitals |
Cleveland, OH. Accessed April 10, 2017. http://www.uhhospitals.org/myuhcare/health-and-
wellness/better-living-health-articles/2014/october/the-top-3-mental-health-problems-for-
adolescents.

xiv
"Why Are So Many Teens Depressed?" World of Psychology. June 03, 2016. Accessed
April 10, 2017. https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/03/04/why-are-so-many-teens-
depressed/.


xv
National Institutes of Health. Accessed April 9, 2017.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml.


xvi
Ibid
xvii
Ibid
xviii
Ibid
xix
Ibid
xx
Ibid
xxi
Ibid
xxii
National Institutes of Health. Accessed April 9, 2017.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml.

xxiii
Ibid
xxiv
"Children and Teens." Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. Accessed
April 9, 2017. https://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children.

xxv
National Institutes of Health. Accessed April 9, 2017.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml.

xxvi
Ibid
xxvii
Ibid
xxviii
Ibid
xxix
"The Top 3 Mental Health Problems for Adolescents." The Top 3 Mental Health Problems
for Adolescents | "Better Living" Health Articles | MyUHCare | University Hospitals |
Cleveland, OH. Accessed April 10, 2017. http://www.uhhospitals.org/myuhcare/health-and-
wellness/better-living-health-articles/2014/october/the-top-3-mental-health-problems-for-
adolescents.

xxx
"Data & Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 14, 2017.
Accessed April 12, 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html.

xxxi
National Institutes of Health. Accessed April 12, 2017.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-
adhd/index.shtml.

xxxii
"Data & Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 14, 2017.
Accessed April 12, 2017. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html.

xxxiii
National Institutes of Health. Accessed April 12, 2017.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-
adhd/index.shtml.

xxxiv
Ibid
xxxv
Ibid
xxxvi
Ibid