Within the last few years, there has been a significant increase in mental health challenges across New York State. Despite the known effects of mental stigma, and the ongoing efforts being made to challenge this stigma, it still exists in our day to day lives. This national problem affects not only students but also the faculty and parents/guardians associated with the schools. If mental health stigma is not addressed, it will only get worse for our students, children, and friends. 
There are many different types of stigma, all of which affect people in various ways. First is societal stigma, or the negative attitudes and beliefs that society holds about a particular group of people, which is influenced by the amount of support children have in schools that they might not get at home or that their families may not be able to afford. Then there is self and public stigma. Self-stigma occurs when individuals internalize the negative stereotypes and beliefs held by society about their condition. Public stigma is similar to societal stigma, with more of a focus on the general public's attitudes and behaviors towards a stigmatized group. While each stigma can impact people differently, they are all harmful. 
The stigma of mental health toward students can also have a negative effect on teachers. When teachers lack the training to support the students in need, it can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction at work. Furthermore, the more a student’s mental health is affected, the more roles teachers have to fill to support them through heavy workloads and academic standards. Families may also be affected if they have not been informed on the best way to support their child.
Stigma in the school community can lead to a negative school climate if the student does not feel comfortable talking about their mental health issues. The lack of mental health services or training can make it harder to identify a student's needs, not allowing them to get additional help. 

What is at Stake: 

Mental health stigma has a significantly negative impact on society however, public safety personnel go without proper mental health training leading to a higher prevalence of negative mental health outcomes. This can include PTSD, anxiety, substance use/misuse, depression, suicide, reduced support systems, and negative impacts on family relationships.
Mental health literacy is a fundamental tool to help improve knowledge about mental health, which decreases stigma and therefore enhances help-seeking behaviors.  Mental health literacy for teachers is especially important, particularly for those working in middle and secondary schools, as most mental health disorders can be diagnosed between the ages of 12-25. It is also important for elementary and primary schools to build developmentally appropriate learning skills such as social-emotional learning to promote positive mental health. Enhancing teachers' health literacy can lead to enhanced access to effective healthcare for students, which would help to reduce the negative outcomes associated with undiagnosed and mental health disorders in students. Examples of these negative outcomes include: 
·         Low academic performance 
·         Poor vocational achievements 
·         Social dysfunction 
·         Suicide 
The school climate also plays a large role in the stigmatization of mental health. A student’s school environment has a profound impact on their attitudes toward learning, including whether they like school, enjoy class, as well as their intrinsic academic motivation.  However, school climate also affects psychological well-being over time, as it is inversely associated with externalizing behavior problems, health complaints, developmental risk behavior, and absenteeism. 

Now is the Time to Act:

Quality mental health education is especially urgent right now, as NYS and our nation confront serious issues that impact our children’s lives both in and out of school. A more thorough approach to mental health education and training must be adopted fully. As we’ve seen, failure to address these issues early can lead to long-term consequences, such as higher rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicide. The lack of education means that many students might go unnoticed or untreated, further perpetuating the stigma surrounding mental health. Now is the time to act. The mental health crisis among young people is growing, and schools are in a unique and strategic position to help. Immediate action can help reduce mental health stigma, improve coping strategies, and ultimately empower students to take control of their mental well-being. The mental health of future generations depends on the steps we take now.