Psychiatric evaluations for students misused, misunderstood

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Hi all,

Nearly four years ago, our nation plunged into the unknown of a pandemic lockdown. The repercussions are being felt every day, with acute learning loss and chronic absenteeism and worsening student mental health.

We also wrote recently about the increasing, and sometimes misused, practice of requiring students to have a psychiatric evaluations as schools address the heightened concern over violence and threats. Some students find themselves marooned, out of school for weeks or even months, with families left to navigate the youth mental health system.

Take a look at our coverage and consider the students around you. How are they doing, and what do they need? Hechinger higher ed writer Olivia Sanchez wants to know, so please get in touch as we continue our reporting. As Deputy Managing Editor Christina Samuels wrote, it’s clear that many of the kids are far from all right.

We rely on donations from readers like you to support our work. Every dollar counts, and a gift of any size allows you to become a member of The Hechinger Report.

Liz Willen, Editor

Main Idea

Schools are sending more kids to psychiatrists out of fears of campus violence, prompting concern from clinicians

Psychiatric evaluations are meant to keep students safe. But psychiatrists say schools frequently misuse and misunderstand them

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