BRIDGEPORT, W.Va — Beginning a new academic year can frequently mean beginning the year with significant changes, which some students may find challenging. It is imperative that consideration be given to kids’ mental health as they return to the classroom.
Concerned parents, however, can benefit from the aforementioned ideas and resources. When a parent notices changes in their child’s behavior at home, it is crucial for them to discuss the matter with their child’s instructors and counselors, according to Dr. Rawn Boulden, a mental health expert at West Virginia University.
According to Boulden, “Not every child is going to speak up and offer that information, but we should be well versed in changes as far as their appearance, their performance in school, their involvement in extracurricular activities, and other kinds of signs and symptoms that point towards mental health challenges.”
According to Boulden, there has been a growing demand for mental health specialists to work in schools over the past few years. To address this issue, a group of students from West Virginia University have been awarded a federal grant of 5 years and 5 million dollars to work in the schools in Harrison County.
According to Boulden, these students are assisting licensed counselors in these schools in providing counseling that is sensitive to many cultural backgrounds. “We are looking forward to seeing the fruits of our labor two years from now, four years from now,” said Boulden. “We are very excited about this.” “The students who are funded through this grant have all committed to staying in West Virginia after graduation to work in school-based mental health.
According to Boulden, the students who will benefit from this funding and are eager to start the new school year by contributing to the establishment of a base of support for the mental health of families and young people. As you may have noticed, mental health is a really important topic, and we’ve noticed a groundswell of challenges impacting youth and adolescents.” “The students who are funded through this grant have all committed to staying in West Virginia to work in school-based mental health.”
