Schools and Teachers Feel Unequipped to Address Youth Mental Health, Real Talk Can Help
A recent article published by The Hill noted that a majority of states are not ready to address youth mental health as their schools begin to reopen. This is in part due to the lack of mental health services provided at the school as well as limited policy support requiring mental health education. Students, and especially adolescents, were hit hard during the pandemic -- many teens have felt isolated, depressed, and experienced feelings of hopelessness. Unfortunately, there is a lack of mental health professionals available to support them. For example, the National Association of School Psychologists reports an average of 1 school psychologist for every 1,211 students instead of the recommended ratio of 1 for every 500 students. This often leaves emergency departments to pick up the slack when adolescents reach a point of crisis (Washington Post). We need to do better to support youth mental health.
“The analysis reports that just 14 states have fully expanded Medicaid to cover mental health services in schools, and only a handful have legislation requiring mental health education.” - The Hill
Mental health support, however, isn’t limited to professional therapy or clinical care. In fact, the strain on our healthcare system highlights an opportunity for alternative resources to support youth mental health that Real Talk can help fill. Peer support and community is an equally important and powerful form of mental health care (Mashable). Students need more ways to build connections and share their experiences with other students. Real Talk provides a safe, judgment free platform to do exactly this.
Through Real Talk, youth can share their stories, join a community, and -- by reading other teens’ experiences -- understand they are never alone in what they are feeling. We want schools, teachers, and all youth serving groups to share Real Talk with their students, so they can have a centralized place to access health resources and support, anytime and anywhere.
Partner with Real Talk
We recently launched our Partners Page where schools and other youth serving organizations can become an affiliate partner with Real Talk. Visit our Partners Page to learn more about how Real Talk can support your work, including a case study of how we partnered with Peer Health Exchange to enhance their youth health programming. If you are interested in receiving updates about partnership programs, please fill out the partner interest form.
Adolescent mental health is a critical priority, and we must act quickly to ensure the next generation feels supported to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Thank you all for being champions of sustainable and equitable adolescent health care.
In this together,
Cristina & the Real Talk team
P.S. There are lots of ways to support our work further – whether through financial support or partnering with us to bring Real Talk to teens in your community. Email us with any inquiries at founders@realtalkapp.com