Childhood and teenage years are an exciting time during our development as humans. We are learning new skills, experiencing new moments, and gaining independence. Those years are pivotal for the people we become in adulthood. Those exciting moments can also come with confusion, trauma, depression and anxiety, and for many children and youth, this can be detrimental at home, in their community and, in particular, at school.
Mental health profoundly impacts our children’s ability to succeed academically. When students grapple with unresolved emotional issues, anxiety, or anger management problems, their capacity to focus, learn, and perform at their best is significantly compromised, especially children and youth living in communities traumatized by violence, poverty, unemployment and systemic racism. Poverty, violence, addiction, and unemployment increases trauma and stress on anyone’s life…including our children and youth.
At Brightpoint, we have taken a holistic approach to addressing these challenges. Our school-based therapists first build trust with the students by playing games, doing art activities, even teaching them magic tricks. This helps to break down barriers during individual sessions, which allows our therapists to not only get a better understanding of their mental health, but also assess if the student has basic needs that are not being met.
Therapists at Schubert Elementary in Belmont Cragin, a community on the northwest side of Chicago, work alongside Brightpoint community navigators. Navigators are staff who provide students and their families with concrete assistance. This includes utility payment assistance options, connections to job placement offices and affordable housing. Basic needs like food, housing and jobs provides stability that is key for mental and behavioral therapy to work. This approach doesn't merely treat symptoms; it tackles the root causes that hinder a student's learning experience.
It is crucial to recognize that family situations, community safety and access to resources affects a student's mental health and wellness. By working collaboratively with families, teachers and school staff, mental health providers can help identify and address these underlying issues, thereby enhancing students' academic success.
As parents, you can make a significant impact. Support your child's academic journey by getting involved in school functions and meetings, learn the steps to access additional supports at school, talk to them, listen to their concerns, and seek professional help when needed, and at home reinforce the mental health services and lessons taught in school.
It truly takes a village to nurture our youth. It’s important to understand that everyday stressors can affect your child’s ability to focus on school. Let's be active members of that village and work together to ensure our children not only succeed academically but also grow into resilient, mentally healthy individuals.
The Mental Health & Wellness Team at Brightpoint
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