Mental Health in Schools

One of my Facebook contacts recently posted a journal entry from a student who knew the shooter in Florida.  It was posted in the New York Times this past week. Here is the link. Please take the time to read it: I Tried to Befriend Nikolas Cruz

This female student had an interaction in 7th grade in which he threw an apple at her back and he seemed to enjoy that she was hurt. Then in 8th grade, she had to tutor him as part of the peer tutoring program she had signed up for. At that time she also had a negative interaction with him.

Here is a quote from her article:
 "It is not the obligation of children to befriend classmates who have demonstrated aggressive, unpredictable or violent tendencies. It is the responsibility of the school administration and guidance department to seek out those students and get them the help that they need, even if it is extremely specialized attention that cannot be provided at the same institution."

I have been a school counselor for 20+ years and I agree with this student. In addition to the school staff assisting aggressive and mentally ill students, it is also the responsibility of the family unit to do something about this.  In all of my experiences with these types of students and their guardians, the guardians have been willing to follow my suggestions, whether that be getting a private therapist or having their child evaluated by an inpatient stress center.

Also in my experience, students come out of inpatient mental treatment centers and either continue their behavioral and mental health cycles, or they truly have reflected on what has happened to them and strive to make positive changes. Human emotions and actions are very complex. A child's formative years usually happen before age 10. In fact, research would tell you that personality is developed by age 6. Click here to see one article: Personality Set For Life by 1st Grade.

While personality is a big part of someone's biology, their life experiences play a huge role in how that personality develops over time.  I personally believe that only God can change a heart, and most of our efforts are futile at best. A child must develop an internal moral compass and a desire to look outward past their own pain and troubles to truly change. He or she must also develop strong, positive relationships along the way. Those they can confide in and get advice from. Most children are very open to adult influence. Those who have suffered much abuse and actually have had their brains altered due to emotional or physical trauma are the ones that are most resistant to change- whether they are able to on their own, or not able to based on severity of brain damage.

Every individual is different and there are a myriad of ways to help someone- therapies, medications, hospitalizations, etc. For some, those treatments may work, but for others, it does not, and those are the ones who end up in the penal system with severe mental illness and inability to cope or change.  While it is very sad, consequences must be handed out for the crimes.  Whatever solutions we come up with, we must not give up on the child. We must be vigilant and communicate with family to come up with the best possible treatment for mental health issues.  All students deserve to be protected.