Instagram influencers can post about self-care with glamorous pictures of bubble baths and retreats. Leaders across the country can talk about mental health. Employers can send mental health awareness emails to their staff. However, those aren’t actual mental health changes. Mental illness affects 1 in 4 Americans. COVID-19 likely contributed to this figure, causing a second pandemic.
Over the past two years, millions of Americans have suffered burnout, alcohol issues, depression, anxiety, and grief. Additionally, mental health concerns among children have risen. The American Academy of Pediatrics declared a mental health emergency for youth.
Top mental health experts can address it. It’s more challenging to make it happen due to dissenting political opinions, lack of funding, shortages of health care workers, and other obstacles. Our nation needs the following changes from within, in our homes, and across the country right now:
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Mandated Social-Emotional Learning
Clinical psychologist Bethany Cook says the current school structure doesn’t reflect how we live today. According to Cook, the system was designed for farming societies, not neurodivergent individuals, including those with mental health conditions.
All schools need social-emotional learning (SEL) to help kids thrive in a learning environment. This includes mental health education and resources, such as deep breathing and social and emotional concern training for teachers. A survey by Education Week found that 3 out of 4 schools teach SEL nationwide.
Paid Maternity Leave And Daycare
Options
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Parents, especially mothers, are facing a daily lose-lose situation due to the pandemic. Cook said an increased daycare option and maternity leave are vital to relieving parents’ mental health struggles. The bond between parents and children is essential. She proposes to place them near the parents’ workplaces.
Federally funded health care has also been proposed as a day care reform option, which will benefit both the young and old. It would eliminate parents returning to work before they are ready.