The National Institute of Mental Health discovered in people ages 10-34, suicide was the second leading cause of death. Suicide can be preventable if there’s enough education surrounding mental health as well as the knowledge of suicide prevention. Sex education is talked about through the entire education system, however, there has been a lack of education in regards to mental health. In Texas, there’s on average 180 school days in a school year. If we multiply that by 13 (kindergarten through 12th grade) that’s 2,340 days. A kid in the Texas education system spends half of their 13 years in school. Imagine how beneficial it would be if kids were exposed to the importance of mental health education and suicide prevention in the school. Without the education of mental illnesses, kids who are experiencing these conditions feel as if they are alone and are often hesitant about discussing their emotions for fear of becoming even further isolated. According to the Brain Forest Center, half of the individuals living with mental illness experience onset by the age of 14, and that number jumps 75% by 24 years old. Only one in five youth living with a mental illness receive the needed services, and four out of five go undiagnosed, untreated, or inadequately treated which interferes with the “student’s ability to learn, grow and develop” (Brain Forest Center). According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals, mental health disorders such as ADHD, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, schizophrenia and others can cause behavior problems as well as significant barriers to learning and therefore, these kids can be less likely to graduate high school. The CDC states that “7.4% of children ages 3-17 approximately 4.5 million have been diagnosed with behavior problems”.

Mental health education should have the same level of importance as sex education. That’s why I’m starting this petition. It’s important to educate the next generation about the importance of mental health in order to make real change, erase the stigma, enable kids to get help and encourage kids to be more supportive with their peers. To join this movement, sign the petition. We have the power for change to happen.