By Shari Shapiro
In Fairfield County’s schools, our students are sending us a message. They aren’t asking for more recess; they’re pleading for help with their mental health. At Kids In Crisis, we’ve heeded this call through our TeenTalk program, placing master’s-level mental health counselors in middle and high schools across the county. The 55% increase in student engagement at Greenwich’s three middle schools, mirroring county-wide trends, highlights an undeniable reality: the mental well-being of our youth is not just a personal issue but a community priority.
The rise in teen mental health concerns has broken into the national conversation, with some deeming it an epidemic. As we are in the middle of our town’s budget season, we must pause and consider education’s vital role, not just in academia but in the emotional well-being of our children.
Our mid-year TeenTalk Report indicates that students engage at younger ages, with 60% of interactions initiated by the students themselves. It’s clear that TeenTalk’s independent counseling framework resonates with our youth, giving them the privacy and respect they need to open up.
The proof lies not only in numbers but in stories – stories of resilience, recovery, and the profound impact of consistent support. In Greenwich’s middle schools, trust in the program has fueled double-digit increases in engagement.
The story of our twenty-eight-year-old TeenTalk program is one of a unique partnership between schools, towns, and Kids In Crisis counselors working together to meet students’ needs. The success of this partnership is evident in the ten outstanding requests for these services from schools in different towns. Our counselors, separate from school administration and educational mandates, offer support that upholds a child’s anonymity and dignity.
As our nation continues to grapple with the ‘COVID education’ gap, we face the compounded challenge of meeting our students’ mental health needs. The expiration of COVID funding is in stark contrast to the persisting needs of our children.
Now more than ever, as schools reshuffle and reprioritize, we must remember that the emotional stability of our children is the bedrock of effective learning. We cannot afford to view academic and emotional development as mutually exclusive.
Our half-year report showcases a truth we cannot ignore: students rely on TeenTalk. The spike in school administrator requests for counselors, up 240%, speaks volumes about the pressing need for even more support.
The narrative is clear, and the stakes are high. As each town grapples with budget cuts, let us remember that skimping on mental health resources today may cost us far more tomorrow – not just in dollars but in the well-being of the next generation.
In this budget season, let’s invest in our children’s futures. Let’s secure the TeenTalk program, ensuring it continues providing comfort, guidance, and support for our youth’s emotional and academic journey.
Shari L Shapiro is the Executive DIrector of Kids In Crisis. Kids In Crisis provides emergency shelter, crisis counseling, and community education programs for children of all ages and families facing crisis. Since its founding in 1978, Kids In Crisis has provided vital 24-hour services to almost 170,000 children and teens, and their families. Providers, educators, community members, and family members are encouraged to call the 24-hour helpline at 203-661-1911 for support.
