Files
Abstract
The current generation of young students are in a mental health crisis. Rates of suicide among children 5 to 11 have risen on average 15 percent a year from 2013 to 2020 (Sparks, 2022). The recent pandemic, COVID-19, shows further effects on this statistic. Research by Fong and Iarocci finds that pandemic-related social isolation and quarantining is resulting in significant anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fears in children and adolescents (Fong and Iarocci, 2020). School is another frequent source of concern for kids; being social and attempting to make friends, dealing with bullies, and being in a proper classroom environment all relate to a student's well-being (APA, 2019). Given all of these negative factors combined, research shows that only 44% of young students are being offered diagnostic mental health assessments and treatments (National Center for Education Statistics, 2024). Educators are becoming victims of burnout, leaving our school systems with a lack of teachers and support. The research demonstrates how lacking our school systems truly are. The upcoming generation of teachers are on a mission to save our children.