DPS works to ensure support for rising student mental health needs

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Durham Public Schools is reinforcing its commitment to meet the mental health needs of all students. If a student is experiencing mental health challenges, learning can be difficult.

"We have seen over the last few years, since COVID-19, an uptick in students experiencing significant mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and school avoidance," said DPS Student Wellness Director Tomeka Ward-Satterfield. "They are living in the same world that we are. They are trying to process and understand what's going on around them."

The district aims to provide wraparound services for those who are struggling in an effort to help them meet the achievement gap. District leaders said more students are coming forward and reporting that they are struggling. The Panorama Social Emotional Learning survey is considered a benchmark for assessing how students are feeling about themselves and their time at school.

"That's given to students twice a year in the fall, which you could consider a baseline, and then in the spring so we can be proactive and preventative about the services we're providing students," said Ward-Satterfield.

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According to DPS, every school within the district has a mental health agency assigned to support students with therapy if it's needed throughout the day. This program recently expanded to meet the needs of all students, including those who are uninsured and have language barriers.

"We have a variety of students who have different language needs and who would benefit from therapy in their first language. Hazel Health is able to do that and provide therapy to students in up to 30 languages," said DPS Wellbeing Specialist Kourtney Royster.

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Students cannot receive services if parents don't consent. The majority of students attending DPS are Black and Hispanic, and district leaders said that sometimes the mental health stigma in those communities keeps families from seeking treatment. The district works closely with parents to close that gap by explaining the benefits of support.

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"We want parents to know if their student is struggling, we're here to support," said DPS Social Emotional Learning Coordinator Gloria Sanchez.

DPS staffers said that mental health is a community problem. This means that if issues go unaddressed, they could have negative societal effects by potentially contributing to homelessness, poverty, and employment challenges. The goal of providing mental health support for students is to develop life-changing tools that carry them beyond graduation into adulthood.

"It might be de-escalation skills. It might be recognizing what anxiety is. How do I work through that?" explained Sanchez.