More than 7.7 million youth are suffering from mental illness
According to nami, the statistics show 16.5% of U.S. youth aged 6-17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2016 (7.7 million people). Reportedly, only 50.6% of them received treatment. Millions of students in the U.S. are affected by mental illness each year and it’s increasing. Reports show that where mental illness and violence come together there often people with mental illness are the victims of violence. It keeps root down from the beginning. It’s important to measure how common mental illness is, so as to understand its impact on students. Taking a cautious step, DialCare plans to bring a Students Mental Wellness Program offering mental and behavioral health counseling to middle and high school students.
DialCare is excited after the success of the pilot program earlier this year in selected schools of Amarillo ISD, which offered mental and behavioral health assistance to middle and high school students. This student-focused program was created in direct response to Governor Abbott’s plan for increased school safety. The program is now available to all secondary schools in the district.
It’s time to care for more students
There are 56 schools in Amarillo Independent School District with more than 35,000 students. The full launch of the Students Mental Wellness Program in Amarillo ISD will help to destigmatize youth mental health and encourage students to seek help. Its core objective was to provide a safe, secure and private way for students to seek help from a licensed and trained mental or behavioral health specialist via a virtual counseling session.
DialCare & Amarillo ISD, both care about the well-being of their students. “DialCare is allowing us to provide continued support and invest in the mental health of our students,” said Tracey Morman, Director of Counseling/College & Career Readiness for Amarillo ISD.
It’s time to educate students as early as possible
The trained counselors are responsible to work with students through issues like depression, stress, eating disorders, addiction, anxiety, grief and more. Students with mental illness can book an appointment via phone or video chat from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT, seven days a week. During these counseling hours, students are offered accommodation in their busy schedules and after-school activities. Counseling sessions are available in both English and Spanish.
The symptoms are quite blurred at the beginning and difficult to see clearly where it grows and tries to shape the future. It’s very important to prioritize mental health and take a possible preventive approach to mental health concerns. And it’s time to empower students with knowledge and courage dialogue about mental wellness.
DialCare also plans to bring the Mental Wellness program to the U.S. market in January 2020 for consumer use.
