Collaborative Center for Social Innovation’s Post

Data from the 2021 Nevada Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported via NevadaTomorrow.org showed that 34.6% of middle school students in Nevada felt sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row. This staggering statistic highlights the pressing need to prioritize mental health support for our youth. At The Children's Cabinet, we understand the importance of early intervention and support. That's why we offer suicide prevention screenings in all Washoe County Middle Schools, using the nationally recognized Signs of Suicide Model. Our dedicated staff partner with school-based teams to identify signs of depression or suicidal thoughts among students. Through education and proactive intervention, we empower young people to recognize the symptoms of depression in themselves or their friends and to seek help using the ACT technique (Acknowledge, Care, Tell). Learn more about the Signs of Suicide program at childrenscabinet.org.  #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

Clinicians, did you know from 2018-2023 emergency department visits for mental & behavioral health conditions increased among children and adolescents during the school year compared to the summer? Learn more about these seasonal patterns and earn free CE: https://bit.ly/3NOmkLy

A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that students with poor mental health have an increased risk of absences and dropout, risky sexual behavior and substance use. This is especially true for girls, students who identify as LGBTQIA2+ and those who have experienced racism in school. #evidencebasedassociates #positivemindset #mentalhealthmatters #backtoschool #kids #juvenile https://ow.ly/oZRC50SX8e5

Addressing Cyberbullying: A Modern Challenge in Digital Responsibility #Cyberbullying impacts nearly 37% of young people today, with serious implications for #mentalhealth, #socialwellbeing, and #academicPerformance. As digital interactions grow, so does our responsibility to create respectful, safe online environments. Today in honor of "National Bullying Awareness Month", I’ll be speaking about this at #GraceBaptistChurch, sharing insights on understanding, preventing, and responding to cyberbullying. Our approach will focus on: 1. #Understanding the Issue: Anonymity and lack of accountability can fuel harmful behaviors online, impacting victims’ mental health. 2. #Building Empathy and Digital Literacy: Early education and community support are proven to reduce bullying behaviors. 3. #Support and Resilience: Encouraging positive bystander intervention and community resilience are key to creating a safer digital world. As professionals, whether in education, mental health, or digital spaces, we each play a role in addressing cyberbullying. I’m excited to explore actionable strategies with the Grace Baptist community. What are some effective ways you’ve seen organizations approach this issue? #Cyberbullying #DigitalResponsibility #MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #ProfessionalDevelopment

All in a day's work today for the Tooled Up team: 1. We uploaded our our girls' mental health conference for editing and curating by our research team! Wow, what a day that was. We learned so much. 2. We supported a parent with a bed-wetting issue, via a teacher, who requested support. 3. We made final edits to all the transition leaflets going out to Tooled Up schools ahead of our transition talks in June. 4. We added a new guide to all our resources on SEN on request from a member of staff in one of our schools. 5. We met with a headteacher and listened to some themes that she wanted included in an upcoming talk. 6. We made final edits to a resource article on teen relationship breakups for one of our schools. 7. We thought about an appropriate host for our upcoming online conference on protecting children from violence and harm. 8. We received about 12 parent questions relating to children's engagement with digital technology. 9. We designed a new talk on behavioural issues in Year 2-3 with a Consultant Psychiatrist. 10. We edited a wonderful new Wednesday Wisdom on philosophy for children to share with our schools this week. 😊 #savingstafftime #supportingparents #curatingresources

Interesting report on risky behavior and trends for US high schoolers from 2021 - 2023. It looks at data on health behaviors and experiences with a focus on: - Sexual behavior - Substance use - Experiences of violence - Mental health - Suicidal thoughts and behaviors - Emerging trends Some not so good trends, but there are a few bright spots in there. #genalpha #mentalhealth #socialmedia #cdc https://lnkd.in/ePDmgt6Z

"What we give families is hope." That's Patricia Montanez. She's a family coach at Ability Connection Colorado and she joins other teachers, administrators and coaches in this short video to share what is being done to help children understand and navigate growing mental health challenges. But people want to know, "What is the hope? What's being done?" Here's what we know: ➡ Mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders begin in early childhood ➡ 1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder ➡ Age and poverty level affected the likelihood of children receiving treatment for anxiety, depression, or behavior problems ➡ Early diagnosis and appropriate services for children and their families can make a difference in the lives of children with mental disorders* That's where we come in. That hope that Montanez and her colleagues deliver is the early intervention that helps children learn to cope and overcome adversity. At Ability Connection Colorado, we know that by the time a child is five, their brain is 90% developed. We know that our time to make a difference is now. Learn more by going to https://lnkd.in/gMrj47V, and thank you for your continued support. It turns hopes into actions, helps us provide the necessary services to make a world of difference, and gets young children school ready. #ChildrensMentalHealthAwarenessMonth #MentalHealth #EarlyChildhoodEd #AbilityConnectionColorado *Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention https://lnkd.in/d45njbq "Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health"

🚨 Join us for a critical conversation on crisis and suicide prevention! According to our recent survey, 40% of faculty and staff say they're stressed on a regular basis due to student mental health concerns and 77% say they've spoken to a student about suicidal ideation. In our upcoming webinar, we'll discuss: ✔️ Common concerns among faculty and staff ✔️ Institutional readiness for crisis response ✔️ Best practices in crisis and suicide prevention training ✔️ Resources to better support student mental health 🗓️ Join us on October 2nd @ 2pm ET! We'll be joined by: Victor Armstrong, MSW, VP for Health Equity and Engagement at American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Nora Feldpausch, MD, Founding Medical Director at Mantra Health, Erik J. Kneubuehl, EdD, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at East Carolina University, and Adam Sargent, PhD, Director of General Counseling Services at Colorado State University. Register now 👉 https://bit.ly/3MTs5qL #MentalHealth #HigherEd #CrisisPrevention #StudentWellness

Stories from the Field! 🎧 🎥✨🍎📚 Part 2: Britta from Oregon’s Central School District. Using Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) creates a unified approach to school mental health by aligning resources, training, and practices, while fostering partnerships with families and community organizations to enhance the social-emotional-behavioral well-being of students. Watch full video here: https://lnkd.in/gMXfAqNg #mentalhealthawarenessmonth

Urgent Conversation: Child antidepressant prescriptions are nearing a staggering 500,000 per year, marking a chilling surge of 44%. This statistic isn't just a number; it's a poignant reflection of the deep-seated mental health challenges our youngest generation is facing. More worrying is that only 1 in 4 visited a child psychiatrist before they were given the pills. As professionals, caregivers, and advocates, it's our moral imperative to dig deeper, to ask the tough questions, and to mobilize resources to address this crisis head-on. What underlying factors are fueling this dramatic increase? Are we providing adequate support and resources for children grappling with mental health issues? The rise in antidepressant prescriptions among children is not a standalone issue; it's a symptom of a larger societal problem. From mounting academic pressures to the pervasive influence of social media, our children are navigating unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety. And while medication can be a vital tool in managing mental health conditions, it should never be the first or only solution. We must foster open dialogues about mental health, eradicate the stigma surrounding seeking help, and prioritize early intervention and prevention strategies. This means investing in mental health education in schools, educating and supporting parents to understand how to help their children and creating safe spaces where children feel empowered to voice their struggles without fear of judgment. But perhaps most importantly, it means cultivating a culture of compassion and empathy. Our children are not statistics; they are individuals with unique experiences, emotions, and needs. By listening, validating their feelings, and offering unwavering support, we can instill hope and resilience in the face of adversity. What are your thoughts on this? Article in The Times here - https://lnkd.in/esrvkuhS #MentalHealthAwareness #ChildWellbeing #EmpathyInAction #wellbeing #anxiety #emotional #resilience #parents #teachers #schools #educators