The ABC\u27s Of Children\u27s Mental Health

The U.S. Surgeon General\u27s 2000 Report on Children\u27s Mental Health estimates that one in five children and adolescents will experience a significant mental-health problem during their school years. While the family is the primary source of support for a child\u27s mental health, the increased stress and fracturing of today\u27s life make it imperative that schools work with parents. With the help of school-based mental-health professionals, principals can develop and initiate a number of strategies designed to protect children by establishing their long-term capacity for positive behavior, social competency, academic achievement, and emotional well-being. Such strategies include fostering a sense of belonging, helping children adapt to change, accentuating the positive, and strengthening children\u27s resiliency. A list of disorder symptoms is presented so educators can contact a mental-health professional should these signs occur. It is recommended that educators educate themselves on types and symptoms of mental-health problems, develop procedures for addressing potential problems, and\u27utilize community Mental-health resources and provide their names and numbers to parents. The brief concludes with one principal\u27s description of her proactive approach to promoting students\u27 psychological well-being, You Do Whatever It Takes (DeLanna Lacy). (RT