You do not have to make room for it in your shopping cart, but ensuring your child’s mental health needs are addressed ahead of the school year should be on the list. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in six youth aged 6-17 in the United States experience a mental disorder each year, and half of all conditions begin before they enter high school. A lack of resources is often to blame for not addressing mental health concerns sooner. A slow diagnosis could affect the child’s learning abilities and their development. Cami Peggar from the United Way of Door County’s STRIDE program says children and parents should not be afraid to seek help if they need it.
Earlier this month, Illinois became the first state in the union to mandate universal mental health screening for students between 3rd and 12th grades starting in 2027. Illinois State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders says the screenings will help them shift from reaction to prevention.