Mental Health

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the psychological and emotional well-being of staff and students

Data

Data: Does Your State Have Enough School Psychologists and Counselors?
Education Week examined ratios of school psychologists and counselors to students across the country. 
This image provided by Novo Nordisk in January 2023, shows packaging for the company's Wegovy medication. The popular weight-loss drug, which has helped millions of Americans shed pounds, can now be used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attacks and other serious cardiovascular problems in patients who are overweight or who have obesity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday, March 8, 2024.
The federal Food and Drug Administration in December 2022 approved Wegovy, an obesity treatment, for children as young as 12. Weight-loss drugs have been a popular topic of conversation on social media and teens have been paying attention, feeding into concerns <ins data-user-label="Matt Stone" data-time="03/18/2024 9:57:35 AM" data-user-id="00000185-c5a3-d6ff-a38d-d7a32f6d0001" data-target-id="">that </ins>adolescents, particularly girls, have long had about body image.
Novo Nordisk via AP
Student Well-Being Weight-Loss Drugs Are the Talk of Social Media, and Teens Are Listening
Weight-loss drugs' popularity are feeding into the concerns that teenagers, particularly girls, have long had about body image.
Caitlynn Peetz, March 18, 2024
5 min read
Image of a bible sitting on top of a school backpack.
Canva
States School Chaplain Bills Multiply, Stirring Debate on Faith-Based Counseling
Proponents say school chaplains could help address a mental health crisis. Opponents raise concerns about religious coercion.
Evie Blad, March 15, 2024
6 min read
Chris Young, a principal from Vermont, poses for a photo in front of a Senate office building in Washington, D.C.
Chris Young, a principal from Vermont, stands in front of a Senate office building in Washington on March 13, 2024. Young was among the secondary principals to meet with legislators urging them to keep federal funding for schools stable.
Olina Banerji/Education Week
School & District Management Q&A When This Principal Talks About Mental Health, People Listen. Here's Why
The NASSP Advocacy Champion of the year said he used stories from his school and community to speak with his state’s legislators.
Olina Banerji, March 14, 2024
6 min read
Blue concept image of coach and team discussing soccer tactics with ball in foreground.
Highwaystarz-Photography/iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being How Coaches Can Be a Source of Mental Health Support for Student-Athletes
Coaches interact with kids all the time and are well placed to support students' mental health—but they need more training.
Madeline Will, March 11, 2024
5 min read
Assessment Video Teachers, Try This: A 5-Minute Exercise to Reduce Student Test Anxiety
Inspired by a college professor, this teacher instituted “test talks” and helped reduce her students’ test anxiety.
Kaylee Domzalski, February 29, 2024
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A teacher writes testing dates on a SMART board at Sutton Middle School in Atlanta on Feb. 13, 2020.
A teacher writes testing dates on a SMART board at Sutton Middle School in Atlanta on Feb. 13, 2020. Emerging classroom technologies are an annual theme at the SXSW EDU conference.
Allison Shelley for EDUimages
Teaching Profession 5 Big Conversations to Expect at SXSW EDU (Plus, an Exciting Debut From EdWeek)
Education stakeholders will discuss the biggest—and thorniest—issues facing schools at the March 4-7 conference.
Madeline Will, February 29, 2024
3 min read
Teenage girl looking at smart phone
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being Q&A A Superintendent Explains Why Her District Is Suing Social Media Companies
Student mental health and behavioral issues have become a major drain on district resources as social media use has risen.
Arianna Prothero, February 28, 2024
3 min read
Vector illustration of a counselor or psychologist holding a clipboard in one hand and an umbrella above in the other over an anxious woman who is tucking her head into her knees with a tangled line hovering above her head.
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being A Mental Health Screening Saved Students’ Lives in This District
A district that deployed a universal mental health screening was able to intervene immediately with five students who had suicide plans.
Caitlynn Peetz, February 23, 2024
4 min read
Student walking down the stairs at her school.
iStock / Getty Images Plus
Student Well-Being Parents Worried About Their Kids' Mental Health See the Fix in New Schooling Options
Parents who say they are considering a change to their children's education identify mental health as a driving factor, a new report shows.
Arianna Prothero, February 22, 2024
5 min read
Internet And Social Media Speech Bubbles Concept
DigitalVision Vectors
Student Well-Being Q&A How Social Media May Benefit Teens' Mental Health
In an interview, a researcher outlines some of the less-discussed benefits teens get from their online activity.
Arianna Prothero, February 16, 2024
4 min read
Kid looking worried with a globe in background.
iStock/Getty
Student Well-Being Q&A A Teachers' Guide for Managing Climate Anxiety in the Classroom
Experts share research-backed tips for teachers on how to respond to students' complicated feelings about climate change.
Madeline Will, February 15, 2024
9 min read
A classroom full of stressed students tries to concentrate.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
Student Well-Being Opinion The #1 Thing My Students Want Their Parents to Know: They're Stressed
In my 27 years as an educator, here are four strategies I’ve found to help students cope with stress.
S. Kambar Khoshaba, February 13, 2024
4 min read
Black female teacher or tutor explaining something to a Black male high school student.
E+/Getty
Student Well-Being Counselor-to-Student Ratios Show Improvement, But Looming Fiscal Cliff May Threaten Gains
School counselor ratios have improved, but advocates warn schools could lose mental health resources as pandemic-relief dollars dissipate.
Alyson Klein, February 12, 2024
3 min read
Conceptual image in blue: puzzle-shaped 100 American dollar banknote and red-colored question mark symbol.
Liz Yap from Education Week via iStock/Getty
Budget & Finance 4 Financial Headaches Schools May Not Be Able to Avoid This Year
Hiring challenges, new and potentially expensive state laws, and intensive audits are on the horizon.
Mark Lieberman, February 6, 2024
6 min read