Dear John,
There are many uncertainties about school in the fall, but we can be certain of this:
If the next school year is going to be an academic success, then the social-emotional and mental health needs of students and staff must be front and center in the plans that districts are currently developing.
To state the obvious, the pandemic has strained families, stressed us out, disrupted our support systems, and left many children and adults socially isolated.
And the research about what that means for learning, health, and behavior — in the absence of smart support strategies — is clear and overwhelming. The physiological effects of exposure to prolonged adversities or acute traumas can disrupt a student’s thinking, feeling, and behavior — both in the short- and long-term, even once the threats are no longer present.
That's why we helped spearhead a letter from 21 Texas organizations thanking state leaders for their efforts and urging them to provide specific guidance to school districts about prioritizing the mental health of all students and staff next year.
The letter was signed by the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA), the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), Texas PTA, the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, the Texas Coalition for Healthy Minds, and other organizations.
