A few weeks ago, I was on an advocacy call with state legislators, and mental health services came up (of course). One legislator said he wanted to see every kid in school see a mental health professional whether they "need" it or not. It's a great idea for so many reasons. It takes away the equity of access barrier that so many families have. It normalizes therapy in an important way - instead of seeing a therapist or social worker because you have an "issue" (and then other kids will know it), everyone gets to see one. It normalizes that therapy is for everyone. I love this idea, and want to make it happen. (Of course, check out the governor's budget with regards to schools and get mad all over again).
Of course, on the other side, a parent who represents the people you talk about in your lede who, at a recent BOE meeting, complained about a sign hanging in one of our schools with an anodyne statement like "It's OK to not be OK" as promoting a victim mindset. Sigh.
A few weeks ago, I was on an advocacy call with state legislators, and mental health services came up (of course). One legislator said he wanted to see every kid in school see a mental health professional whether they "need" it or not. It's a great idea for so many reasons. It takes away the equity of access barrier that so many families have. It normalizes therapy in an important way - instead of seeing a therapist or social worker because you have an "issue" (and then other kids will know it), everyone gets to see one. It normalizes that therapy is for everyone. I love this idea, and want to make it happen. (Of course, check out the governor's budget with regards to schools and get mad all over again).
Of course, on the other side, a parent who represents the people you talk about in your lede who, at a recent BOE meeting, complained about a sign hanging in one of our schools with an anodyne statement like "It's OK to not be OK" as promoting a victim mindset. Sigh.