Admitting Students With Severe Mental Health/Emotional Issues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

This is OP. This is what I mean. We have a small class with only a few girls and literally half are intense therapy for severe anxiety, depression and a couple of other conditions. So, the week is literally filled with frequent breakdowns of crying, complaining that someone doesn't like them and/or is talking about them/excluding them. Three of the girls have been in and out of mental health facilities. My point is that this can really disrupt the flow and dynamic of a small classroom with only a few girls. My kid is quiet and boring and just wants to go to school without the everyday drama. I know it is hard for these kids but it is also hard for my kid who just wants to have one good day without these types of issues everyday.

So find another school. Problem solved. Aren’t you glad you have a choice?

Is it legit to ask the "other" school how many of the students are being treated for mental health problems? You say the problem is solved, but it is only solved if you can ask the question and get an honest answer.

[Anonymous]

We're leaving our small private bc of all the emotional/behavioral issues. The school is poorly equipped to help kids with the issues and so its impacting the entire class. This isn't about the kids--it could be anyone's child but the school has a responsibility to all children to make the classroom safe and a place of learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're leaving our small private bc of all the emotional/behavioral issues. The school is poorly equipped to help kids with the issues and so its impacting the entire class. This isn't about the kids--it could be anyone's child but the school has a responsibility to all children to make the classroom safe and a place of learning.

PP. I think a ton of this has to do with schools needing tuition so simply accepting most kids who apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those are the types of kids who need to go to small schools OP.

Agreed.

[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?

All MS
Life is fraught at both public and private in our experience.

[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.

DP - the pandemic absolutely had a huge impact on mental of many youth and children. Most of the kids at DC’ competitive medium sized private school struggled with mental health issues. National experts are reporting a crisis in mental health of youth. Suicides/ Eating disorders and substance abuse are way up among youth nation wide: it was especially hard going through puberty during pandemic because the kids were online all day for school and exposure to social media toxicities went up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP - the pandemic absolutely had a huge impact on mental of many youth and children. Most of the kids at DC’ competitive medium sized private school struggled with mental health issues. National experts are reporting a crisis in mental health of youth. Suicides/ Eating disorders and substance abuse are way up among youth nation wide: it was especially hard going through puberty during pandemic because the kids were online all day for school and exposure to social media toxicities went up.

Who on earth told you this?

Most of my kids peers were at some relatives beach or ski house for months and months zooming in a couple hours.

No school for almost two years - or a big slashing or school time- was terrible for kids’ confidence, skills, knowledge and work habits.

[Anonymous]

The DC medium size school study on what??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP - the pandemic absolutely had a huge impact on mental of many youth and children. Most of the kids at DC’ competitive medium sized private school struggled with mental health issues. National experts are reporting a crisis in mental health of youth. Suicides/ Eating disorders and substance abuse are way up among youth nation wide: it was especially hard going through puberty during pandemic because the kids were online all day for school and exposure to social media toxicities went up.

Who on earth told you this?

Most of my kids peers were at some relatives beach or ski house for months and months zooming in a couple hours.

No school for almost two years - or a big slashing or school time- was terrible for kids’ confidence, skills, knowledge and work habits.

Pretty much every expert who studies teen mental health says this.

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2021/teen-mental-health-during-covid-19
https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/population-care/loss-connection-fuels-more-teen-mental-health-problems
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-covid-19-has-affected-the-mental-health-of-teens

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This is OP. This is what I mean. We have a small class with only a few girls and literally half are intense therapy for severe anxiety, depression and a couple of other conditions. So, the week is literally filled with frequent breakdowns of crying, complaining that someone doesn't like them and/or is talking about them/excluding them. Three of the girls have been in and out of mental health facilities. My point is that this can really disrupt the flow and dynamic of a small classroom with only a few girls. My kid is quiet and boring and just wants to go to school without the everyday drama. I know it is hard for these kids but it is also hard for my kid who just wants to have one good day without these types of issues everyday.

It sounds like your kid is not at a school that is a good fit, and should maybe be in a school that does not support/attract "quirky" kids or kids with emotional/behavioral/learning differences, but rather needs a population that is less neurodiverse. If your kid does not have mental health issues, be thankful and know you don't need to worry about how to answer questions about it if you are asked, and it's not your business whether schools ask the parents of those other children, or how they answer them.

Not sure what grade your kid is in, but mine is 8th applying to 9th, and is dyslexic but otherwise has no behavioral/mental health issues, and is in a school that supports learning differences but isn't specifically targeted to them. It's been a really challenging year and a lot of the kids are super stressed about 8th grade requirements, applications to high schools, testing, etc. A couple schools we looked at asked in the applications if there was any additional information that would be helpful for the school to know, including any outside testing, and listed examples that you'd commonly see for any child who has had psychoeducational testing for dyslexia, ADHD, giftedness. etc, and asked that copies of reports be uploaded if so. Beyond that, no one asked anything until WE volunteered that our child is dyslexic and asked specific questions about how the school would support the accommodations we already know are needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP - the pandemic absolutely had a huge impact on mental of many youth and children. Most of the kids at DC’ competitive medium sized private school struggled with mental health issues. National experts are reporting a crisis in mental health of youth. Suicides/ Eating disorders and substance abuse are way up among youth nation wide: it was especially hard going through puberty during pandemic because the kids were online all day for school and exposure to social media toxicities went up.

Who on earth told you this?

Most of my kids peers were at some relatives beach or ski house for months and months zooming in a couple hours.

No school for almost two years - or a big slashing or school time- was terrible for kids’ confidence, skills, knowledge and work habits.

The increase in mental health and related issues among youth is well documented - national health authorities declared it to be a national emergency.

A majority of children and youth did not have beach houses to escape to.

Yes it was terrible for kids confidence, social skills and mental health. They are all connected.

[Anonymous]

applying for high schools right now and i can tell you i am incredibly upfront with my teen’s needs. we have a psych educational report and looked at schools with learning centers. for us it was important the school is aware uo front bc i have seen others get in over their head and not be able to keep up
also i don’t think it’s a gross question. we are also at a small school with a few in the class with additional needs outside of learning and i can tell you it dictates so much of the weekly life of all the kids in the grade. it is not ideal for the class as the needs of a few dictates the vibe of the class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

So your child has a mental illness? What is a “severe mental health issue” ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I don't mind if other students have "hidden" issues. That is their parents headache. I have problems with "Not Hidden" issues of other kids that is disruptive for my children. If these kids with problems are secretly being bulimic or cutting themselves? Well, RIP to them. If they are smashing things in the classroom and screaming on the floor - take them out of the classroom!!

- DP.

Damn. You went there. But I agree with you.

NP. As do I.

Someone — how about one of the “gross” posters — please explain why anyone is obligated to accept a disruptive, substandard environment that is entirely optional? As in, the disrupters remain enrolled at the discretion of the administration?

The kid who upended my DS’s k-8 grade for years due to his uncontrolled conduct disorder was finally made to leave in about 5th grade. It was a game changer.

You can have compassion and understanding for these kids without being required to be a sacrificial martyr with your own kid’s education and your $45k annual tuition. Nope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I don't mind if other students have "hidden" issues. That is their parents headache. I have problems with "Not Hidden" issues of other kids that is disruptive for my children. If these kids with problems are secretly being bulimic or cutting themselves? Well, RIP to them. If they are smashing things in the classroom and screaming on the floor - take them out of the classroom!!

- DP.

Damn. You went there. But I agree with you.

NP. As do I.

Someone — how about one of the “gross” posters — please explain why anyone is obligated to accept a disruptive, substandard environment that is entirely optional? As in, the disrupters remain enrolled at the discretion of the administration?

The kid who upended my DS’s k-8 grade for years due to his uncontrolled conduct disorder was finally made to leave in about 5th grade. It was a game changer.

You can have compassion and understanding for these kids without being required to be a sacrificial martyr with your own kid’s education and your $45k annual tuition. Nope.

You agree with a poster who flippantly says "RIP to them"-- about a CHILD-- and in the same breath call for compassion and understanding. GTFOH.

You and all the PPs are horrible humans. I'm embarrassed for you.