We can ignore mental health, but that doesn't mean it goes away. 

Many young people struggle with mental health and mental illness. According to the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, as many as 1 in 6 US children between the ages of 6 and 17 have a treatable mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety. The national average for children who did not receive help was 49%. Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International Classification of Diseases, there are officially 223 different types of mental disorders. Expecting teachers or counselors who are trained for other things to be able to have a basic understanding of even the major mental illnesses and the treatments is unreasonable. It's also not safe to assume that parents or the community will listen to their children. In particular, immigrant communities stigmatize mental health/illness.

These are problems that were evident before 2020. Now there's a pandemic. Students are unable to have as much contact with friends, trusted mentors, and teachers. Students are struggling with rapidly deteriorating mental health and find it extremely difficult to achieve their academic and personal potential. In Indiana, Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens, which is why it is critical that this bill be heard and mental health is prioritized. 

The youth deserve better. We want systematic change that improves our mental well-being in school. We call on Rep. Behning to hear a bill that Rep. Shackleford filed. House Bill 1444 (HB 1444), the Comprehensive Student Support Program, would increase the number of student support professionals in schools, including school counselors. This bill is important because it has the potential to increase mental health supports in schools, create a more equitable learning environment, and better protect the safety of all students. 

Link to HB 1444: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2021/bills/house/1444#digest-heading

Reasons Why It's Important to Pay Attention to Mental Health: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1I8SP-ol9otth1hSux9ONPRCDMoZyVF6wx_k4_WTeyqY/edit?usp=sharing