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Medical copays reduce health care access in MS prisons; Israel planted explosives in pagers sold to Hezbollah according to official sources; Serving looks with books: Libraries fight 'fast fashion' by lending clothes; Menhaden decline threatens Virginia's ecosystem, fisheries.

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JD Vance calls for toning down political rhetoric, while calls for his resignation grow because of his own comments. The Secret Service again faces intense criticism, and a right to IVF is again voted down in the US Senate.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Group Highlights Need for Student Mental Health Services in AL Schools

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Monday, May 15, 2023   

A group is drawing attention to the critical need for improved mental health and student support resources in Alabama schools.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such mental health issues as anxiety, depression and self-harm have increased since the pandemic.

A recent study by The Education Trust sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by students, while also identifying the lack of resources in Alabama schools. It suggests equitable practices to promote both mental health and academic success.

Denise Forte, president and CEO of The Education Trust, highlighted the concerning statistics among students, which she said demand immediate steps to better schools.

"One in five have said that they've seriously considered suicide, and one in 10 have said that they attempted suicide," Forte reported. "Those statistics are really troubling, and we need to do more to support students' health and well-being if we are going to tackle those."

The data show Alabama's schools are among those failing to prioritize social, emotional and academic development in areas such as professional development, culturally sustaining curricula, or multi-tier support services.

The study also found another factor affecting students' social-emotional and academic development is school discipline, with research indicating Alabama lacks clear goals for decreasing disparities in discipline.

Forte added the study also highlighted the shortage of resources connecting students and families with community engagement, emphasizing the need for schools to allocate funds for mental health and more academic support.

"We believe that all learning is social/emotional learning, so schools shouldn't have to make a choice between one or the other," Forte contended. "Some of the smart things they can be doing is making sure that every student has a trained adult that they can talk to."

According to Alabama's Department of Mental Health, 15 mental-health centers across the state received additional funds to expand school based mental-health services in 2022. There are currently 93 school systems and 18 health centers participating in a mental health collaboration program.

In 2022, Alabama had more than 70,000 students enrolled in nearly 1,500 schools in 138 school districts.


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