School staff members strive to reach and teach every student walking through the building’s front door. Identifying and addressing students mental health needs is imperative.
Over the past five years, children have experienced increased screen time, social isolation, school closures, familial financial hardships and limited healthcare access. These challenges collectively created a state of heightened emotional and social distress for young people.
In addition, ethnic and racial discrimination became more common for minority groups. Asian American families faced increased challenges due to higher rates of bullying and harassment and Latino families suffered high job loss rates. In addition, BIPOC children were significantly more likely to experience the death of a parent or caregiver than their White peers.
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To more fully understand students’ well-being and the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of minority students, we analyzed fifth graders’ responses to the Minnesota Student Survey from 2019 and 2022. Analysis revealed significant differences in emotional well-being and distress among elementary students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. The data indicated that overall emotional well-being worsened through the pandemic, with notable variations across different racial and ethnic groups.
The findings identified a mental health and well-being gap that calls for a change in educators’ practice. School districts can take the following three actions to aid educators in addressing students’ mental health needs:
1. Enhance educators’ cultural responsiveness
The study underscores the need for educators to develop cultural responsiveness. This means understanding and incorporating diverse cultural perspectives and addressing the full spectrum of diversity in educational interactions.
Culturally competent teachers who adopt responsive teaching practices can significantly impact students’ success and help address disproportionality in education. Educators can enhance their awareness by fostering cultural connections, increasing partnerships and addressing biases. Professional development in cultural responsiveness can shift perspectives on how educators influence disproportionality and contribute to closing achievement and well-being gaps.
2. Increase mental health support in schools
The study highlights a rise in distress among elementary students and an increased need for mental health services. Hospital emergency department visits for mental health issues among children rose significantly from 2019 to 2020.
Federal funding from the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan has supported additional school counselors and social workers but the need for equitable mental health support remains critical. Targeted funding and training for school-based mental health services are essential to address the disparate effects of the pandemic on BIPOC students.
3. Implement social-emotional learning in elementary schools
The increase in student distress and emotional challenges points to the need for systemic SEL interventions. SEL helps students develop healthy identities, manage emotions, show empathy, maintain supportive relationships and make responsible decisions.
Research indicates that students engaged in online learning during the pandemic reported poorer mental health and increased symptoms of depression compared to those who attended in-person classes. Integrating SEL into schools can improve mental health, academic performance and overall well-being. Implementing SEL programs becomes increasingly crucial as parents, staff, and students prioritize student well-being.
