Tumwater school board tackles mental health concerns ahead of school re-opening

Tumwater School District board’s student representatives presented the growing need for emotional support during its board meeting yesterday.

At the May 13 meeting, student representatives Ella Jimenez from Tumwater High School and Rebecca Allen from Black Hills High School reported that they asked their fellow students about their hopes, concerns, and expectations for the school re-opening.

Both received feedback on the need to prioritize mental health. They also shared that schools must provide emotional support among their students. “I think mental health is a bigger thought in people’s minds,” Jimenez shared.

Allen agreed and explained that the social isolation brought by the coronavirus pandemic exacerbated students' social anxiety.

Speaking from a personal experience, Allen also shares that most students do not know where to get help.

Today, students across the globe believe that the pandemic has brought an emotional and psychological toll, based on a journal published on Science Direct.

According to Active Minds, a non-profit mental health organization, 55 percent of students between high school and college struggle or do not know where to find help. In addition, a Gallup survey also states that nearly 29 percent of parents reported that their children are suffering from emotional or mental health concerns because of social distancing.

In response, Tumwater school board president Melissa Beard empathized with the students’ concerns. Beard said she believes that students often hesitate to reach out and ask for help because of the thought that they might be a “burden” to adults.

Beard reminds students that the school staff care about their well-being. She added that teachers and faculty members want to provide as much support as they can. In addition, Superintendent Dr. Sean Dotson also suggested that the first step to get help is to reach out to the school’s guidance counsellor.

• Tumwater High School is offering virtual counselling on Zoom from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., generally by appointment; drop-in calls are sometimes available.
• Black Hills High School students also have access to counsellors by calling 360-709-7800.

The counselling sessions are available on school days from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. If students need counselling outside of these hours, they can also call the Crisis Clinic Teen Help Line at 360-586-2777.

Overall, Allen shared that Tumwater students hope that the school board can help restore a sense of normalcy as they gear towards school re-opening. She also suggested that students look forward to more fun and engaging school activities that will help them connect and bond with their schoolmates.