Suicide rates among young Kentuckians are rising and proposed legislation would strengthen trauma-informed care in schools and boost youth suicide prevention resources.

According to the latest state data, one in seven high school students reported having seriously considered suicide within a 12-month period.

Sheila Schuster, executive director of the Advocacy Action Network, and a licensed psychologist for the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition, said the bill would increase suicide prevention trainings for teachers and staff, and require training be done when students return from winter break.

"The data show that's a very stressful time when the kids have been off school, away from their peers," Schuster explained. "That's a time of increased anxiety, either about being away from school or having to go back to school."

The bill has received scrutiny for its proposal to allow schools to establish so-called "guardians" programs, made up of honorably discharged military veterans and retired or former law enforcement officers to address a statewide shortage of School Resource Officers.

Joe Bargione, a licensed psychologist and consultant, noted trauma-informed care is important because it helps students feel connected to their school and more likely to reach out to a trusted adult if they're struggling. He said Senate Bill 2 would require districts' trauma-informed teams -- which typically include school nurses, counselors and social workers -- to submit their plans to the state for review each year.

"The reason why I think that's important is because right now, we don't have a way of collecting all those trauma-informed plans and analyzing, you know, what's working in our districts," Bargione pointed out.

Ben Chandler, CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and chair of the Kentucky Coalition for Healthy Children noted the data around young Kentuckians' mental health -- in particular, suicide attempts -- is alarming.

"One in 10 have reported attempted suicide," Chandler stressed. "The rates of kids who have either thought about or planning suicide more than doubled among sixth graders, between 2014 and 2021."

He added the coalition's member groups continue to work with schools to address the mental health crisis and improve resiliency among students.

An Atlanta-based group is making sure more people have access to an unconventional but effective treatment for their moderate mental health challenges: art.

It is estimated 1.8 million adults in Georgia live with some form of mental illness. The group Art Pharmacy partners with health care providers and community organizations to integrate creative activities into treatment plans.

Chris Appleton, founder and CEO of Art Pharmacy, said the approach, known as "social prescribing," connects people to arts and cultural experiences as a way to combat the mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic in the U.S.

"People get prescriptions to go to dance classes," Appleton outlined. "People get prescriptions to go on a guided tour at a museum. People get prescriptions to go to a ceramics workshop, or maybe a visit to your local botanical gardens."

In Georgia, Art Pharmacy partners with school-based behavioral health clinics to support young people struggling with anxiety and depression. It is also working with Medicaid health plans to assist at-risk youth with serious emotional disturbances, and helping older adults at risk of social isolation.

Appleton stressed Art Pharmacy is not meant to replace psychotherapy, especially for those who need psychiatric care, but it is another option for those with mild to moderate concerns. He added through care navigators, people are connected to creative activities that keep them engaged in treatment, offering a different path to improving their mental well-being while reducing stigma.

"There's an acknowledgment that new forms of care are required to make progress on these struggles," Appleton asserted. "I think a second piece is that while stigma around mental health has improved in the U.S. over the past several years -- especially among younger generations -- many people still struggle to raise their hand and say, 'I need help.'"

He added Art Pharmacy keeps track of progress using mental health and well-being assessments. While there are challenges in making social prescribing a standard part of health care, he believes it is only a matter of time before the approach becomes a go-to option alongside traditional treatments.


get more stories like this via email

As winter drags on with a recent rare burst of snow across North Florida, many Floridians struggle with seasonal affective disorder.

It is a form of depression triggered by shorter days and less sunlight. Mental health professionals across the state are offering practical strategies to help people cope, emphasizing the importance of light exposure, social engagement and seeking professional support.

Judy Charuhas, clinical director of outpatient services for Impower, a Florida-based telehealth provider, said simple acts of kindness can boost a person's mood and emotional well-being.

"Melatonin helps us feel better. Serotonin, endorphins -- when your endorphins get going -- you feel better," Charuhas outlined. "One thing people can do with depression that helps more than anything else is do something for someone else."

A recent study showed 40% of Americans say their mood drops in the winter, 41% are sleeping more, 28% feel fatigued and 27% report experiencing depression.

Lourdes Araujo, president of the Florida Counseling Association, recommended a light therapy box, which mimics sunlight exposure, for those experiencing symptoms.

"If the sunlight goes away, you can extend that time by using this sunlight exposure approach," Araujo explained. "It's really proven to be helpful with depressive symptoms."

She also encouraged cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to challenge negative thoughts and set realistic goals.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, stressed the importance of maintaining social connections and leveraging available mental health resources.

"People who have strong social connections actually live longer," Randall pointed out. "When we think about longevity and quality of life, those strong ties to friends and family are very good to our health."

Randall added many insurance plans offer mental health benefits such as virtual therapy, coaching and digital self-help tools, which can be convenient options for those who struggle during the winter months.

Some 125,000 children in Michigan struggle with major depression, which can hinder learning, behavior and relationships, according to a recent survey. Research shows the benefits of school-based services to connect them with the care they need.

Together with parents, school mental health resources can help keep kids safe.

Scott Hutchins, who manages the behavioral health unit for the Michigan Department of Education, stresses the importance of these services, especially in light of the pandemic and school shootings.

"Those needs have only been exacerbated since COVID and those other violent tragedies," he said. "So, what mental-health services do is, they allow us to break down the barriers that students need to get the care that they need."

However, the state needs more of these professionals. Michigan has one school psychologist per almost 2,200 students. The recommended ratio is one for every 500 students. The state also requires school districts to include suicide-prevention hotline contact information on IDs for students in grades 7 through 12.

Statistics show youths receiving school-based mental-health services are six times more likely to complete treatment than those receiving community-based services.

Angela Kimball, chief advocacy officer for the nonprofit mental health advocacy group Inseparable, noted that funding is one key challenge in expanding the school mental-health workforce.

"In order to become a licensed professional," she said, "you not only have to pay for schooling, but there's also periods of supervision - where people are essentially working for free and having to pay for supervision as they work towards their credentials."

Kimball said groups like hers are pushing for policies to improve staff ratios and encourage people to consider mental-health careers. In the meantime, if you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to be connected with a trained counselor, available 24/7.