Admitting Students With Severe Mental Health/Emotional Issues

[Anonymous]

During the application process, do schools ask about mental health issues? We are at a smallish school and of the girls in my daughters class, at least half have admitted to having extreme mental health/emotional issues - ie, they are on more than one type of medication for a variety of disorders and lots of therapy. Because this is a small school, it really changes the dynamic of the classroom when this number of students is that unstable and is always “working through something”. It can be uncomfortable and puts people on edge. I think this is even more exacerbated with girls, given the drama that already naturally accompanies teenage-hood.

So do schools/does your school ask about past or current mental health issues during the application process?

[Anonymous]

You're gross

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure if your definitions of “extreme” and “severe” make sense. I have a child on two medications and who is in therapy, and I would not characterize her as having “extreme” or “severe” problems, and she is not “unstable.” My kid is several years away from college but I don’t have any concern about her ability to succeed at college. She’ll probably need the kind of support she’s getting now, just like millions of highly successful adults, and that’s just fine.

[Anonymous]

Have you been paying any attention these last few years? Tons of kids came out of the pandemic with some mental
health issues. It’s good that they are getting therapy and support. As a PP said, you’re gross.

[Anonymous]

My child has severe mental health issues. Most days she doesn't leave her bedroom. She rarely showera or attends her special ed day school. You don't know what "severe" mental health issues look like. Stay in your lane, fool.

[Anonymous]

We’re at a quirky mainstream school with quirky kids.
There are a few intake years so it gets less issues and accommodations. But I recall in lower school my kid had to pep talk her group mates to do their work, one of whom would walk out of multiple times a day.

I don’t think small grade sizes are good for most students, there needs to be a critical mass of kids and friend groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're gross

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're gross

This. Plus, wow!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been paying any attention these last few years? Tons of kids came out of the pandemic with some mental
health issues. It’s good that they are getting therapy and support. As a PP said, you’re gross.

Stop blaming the pandemic. Most did not have their lives changed much or had many losses. You are gross.

[Anonymous]

A very large percentage of teens have mental health issues. There is a crisis. Don't you read anything?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you been paying any attention these last few years? Tons of kids came out of the pandemic with some mental
health issues. It’s good that they are getting therapy and support. As a PP said, you’re gross.

Stop blaming the pandemic. Most did not have their lives changed much or had many losses. You are gross.

Did you live through a different pandemic than the rest of us? Most children had to adjust to virtual learning and not being able to go out and socialize. Fortunately, this generation was likely able to adapt better than many before due to their existing reliability on virtual methods of communication, but that does not mean they were unscathed. Get over yourself and your privilege and realize that people have different life experiences than whatever world you are in.

[Anonymous]

I disagree that OP is "gross". If you have a small class with several kids that have mental health problems, it definitely affects the dynamics of the class and I completely understand that isn't what OP signed up for when she chose private school for her child. In fact, many families choose private school precisely to avoid these types of issues.

-Parent of a DD with anxiety and depression; I love my DD dearly, but several kids with her profile in one class would be a lot.

[Anonymous]

Social media fuels this mental health problem for many students (although not all obviously). When are we going to wake up as parents and do something about it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:During the application process, do schools ask about mental health issues? We are at a smallish school and of the girls in my daughters class, at least half have admitted to having extreme mental health/emotional issues - ie, they are on more than one type of medication for a variety of disorders and lots of therapy. Because this is a small school, it really changes the dynamic of the classroom when this number of students is that unstable and is always “working through something”. It can be uncomfortable and puts people on edge. I think this is even more exacerbated with girls, given the drama that already naturally accompanies teenage-hood.

So do schools/does your school ask about past or current mental health issues during the application process?

Careful not to judge. The two most judgy parents I know who always talked as if their kids were perfect are dealing with the worst things right now - one had a teen boy and other has a teen girl.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:During the application process, do schools ask about mental health issues? We are at a smallish school and of the girls in my daughters class, at least half have admitted to having extreme mental health/emotional issues - ie, they are on more than one type of medication for a variety of disorders and lots of therapy. Because this is a small school, it really changes the dynamic of the classroom when this number of students is that unstable and is always “working through something”. It can be uncomfortable and puts people on edge. I think this is even more exacerbated with girls, given the drama that already naturally accompanies teenage-hood.

So do schools/does your school ask about past or current mental health issues during the application process?

Careful not to judge. The two most judgy parents I know who always talked as if their kids were perfect are dealing with the worst things right now - one had a teen boy and other has a teen girl.

They always thought they were exempt and in reality their kids turned out to have the worst hidden issues of all