Mental Health in SchoolsWhy mental health in schools?Accessing and meeting the needs of students who require mental health services is facilitated by contact through and at schools.Addressing psychosocial and mental and physical health concerns is essential to the effective school performance of some students.What is my responsibility to my students?VideoShould I be concerned?ADHD: between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHDAutism: estimated that 3.4 of every 1,000 children 3-10 years old had autismDepression: 1 in every 10 children and adolescents are affected by serious emotional disturbancesEating Disorders: Nationwide, 12.3% of high school students had gone without eating for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the last 30 days. One percent (1%) of female adolescents suffer from anorexiaSuicide: third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, among this age group, suicide accounts for 12.3% of all deaths. In 2007, 6.9% of high school student surveyed through the Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated they had attempted suicide in the last 12 months, and 14.5% had seriously considered attempting suicide.Facilitate learning and be and advocateWhat is child abuse?Child abuse is any mistreatment of a child under the age of 18 by parents, caregivers and others that results in risk of harm or injury. The legal definition of child abuse varies from state to state. It is important to note that some acts (such as exposing a child to domestic violence) may not be criminal but may still be harmful to a child. Physical AbuseAny non-accidental physical injury. Non-accidental injuries may include beatings, bruises, welts, shaking, burns, human bites, strangulation, immersion in scalding water, broken bones, or internal injuries.EMOTIONAL NEGLECT/ABUSEFailure of a parent or caregiver to provide the appropriate support, attention and affection necessary for a child to develop intellectually; includes verbal assault or coercive behaviors such as belittling, humiliating, and ridiculing.Sexual AbuseThe use of a child for the sexual gratification of another person. It includes behaviors such as intercourse, sodomy, oral-genital stimulation, verbal stimulation, exhibitionism, voyeurism, fondling, and involving a child in prostitution or the production of pornography. Incest is a sexual abuse that occurs within a family.NeglectFailure of a parent or caregiver to meet the basic needs of a child such as food, shelter, medical care, educational opportunity, protection and supervision.WHEN does child abuse occur?Child abuse can happen any time of the day or night.It is most likely when an abuser has undisturbed, private access to a child.HOW can I tell if a child is being abused?The only way to know for certain is if a child discloses abuse to you or you happen to witness the abuse.However, if a child exhibits several of the signs listed below, the child may be experiencing abuse:Physical SignsWelts or broken bonesRepeated and unexplained injuriesBruises that leave hand, belt or cord marksInjuries at different stages of healingBurns, cuts, scrapes, missing hairFailure to thriveUlcers, headaches, stomach achesBedwettingInjuries or redness at the genitalsInjuries or conditions not treatedSexually transmitted disease; pregnancy at young ageAppearanceVery dirtyClothing is not suited for the weatherClothing is in poor conditionChild is overly thin or obeseBehaviorHits othersOverly tired, can’t concentrateOften late or absent from schoolAfraid of others or craves attention; clingyHungry, begs for food, stealsUnusual knowledge of sexSeductive behaviorAvoidance of bathroomsReluctance to go home or early arrival at schoolSudden school problemsAbrupt change in behavior or personalityAggression, anger, irritability, anxiety, compulsivityThe Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching estimates that 90% of all teachers see abused or neglected children in their classrooms.Handling DisclosureListen to and Believe the childFind a private place to talkReassure the child that he/she has done the right thing by reporting the abuseRephrase important thoughts using the child’s vocabularyTell the child that help is available and that you must report to someone who can helpReport the incident immediately 1-800-392-3738Seek out support for yourselfHandling DisclosureDO NOTPromise confidentialityPanic or express shockAsk leading or suggestive questionsMake negative comments about the perpetratorDisclose information indiscriminatelyWhat should you do when you suspect abuse or neglect?CALL THE HOTLINE AT 1-800-392-3738, The Children's Division staff this hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They will take information from you and respond to child abuse and neglect. If you live outside Missouri and want to report abuse or neglect of a Missouri child, call (573) 751-3448.HAVE COMPLETE INFORMATION, Children's Division needs specific information to be able to respond to a complaint of abuse or neglect.Be sure you have:the name of the childthe name of the parent(s)the name of the alleged abuserwhere the child can be locatedYou will also be asked:Is the child in a life-threatening situation now?How do you know about the abuse/neglect?Did you witness the abuse/neglect?Were there other witnesses and how can they be contacted?Notice to Mandated Reporters, Effective August 28, 2004: If you are required to report child abuse or neglect because of your occupation, you may no longer make an anonymous call to the Hotline.CONSIDER IDENTIFYING YOURSELF, If you are not required by occupation to report, you don't have to identify yourself when you make a hotline call, however being able to contact you later helps CD workers do a more thorough investigation. They may need to ask you for more information during the investigation process.What if you're not sure it's abuse or neglect?http://www.dss.mo.govYou can call the local Children's Division office to discuss your concerns. They can advise you whether or not to call the hotline. They can also give you advice that might help you help the family in crisis.Err on the side of over-reporting. If you have the thought "Maybe I should call . . ." -- DO! Not all calls to the hotline are determined to be abuse/neglect. However, CD can often provide services and assistance