CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - This is Mental Health Awareness Month and Tuesday the Chicago Public School system has announced a new mental health and suicide prevention program for students.
Studies have shown there was already a mental health crisis among young people before COVID-19 and that it got worse during the pandemic.
The CPS “Please Stay” program is designed to give 7th through 12th graders practical tips for handling the stresses in their lives and to destigmatize getting help.
“We have about a month remaining of school and so we wanted to equip our 7th through 12th graders with this information and the self-care tips and mental health resources before we separate for summer vacation,” said Michael Roy who runs the CPS training and prevention unit in the Office of Student Protections.
Roy said students will be asked to pledge to stay alive and reach out for help if they need it.
“Seventh through 12th graders actually are going to be given the physical pledge card and that does have resources available, so it has the crisis text line. It has the support line from the Trevor Project. Different mediums , if you prefer to talk over the phone, if you prefer to text,” said Roy.
The CDC says the mental health crisis among high schoolers has gotten worse during the pandemic. Data indicates 37% of high school students reported having poor mental health most of the time or always during the pandemic, 31% of them reported experiencing poor mental health during the past 30 days and 44% reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless in the past year.
“Please Stay” offers self-care tips for young people such as unplugging for the day, going to a movie, listening to music or spending time outdoors.
Roy said “Please Stay” is designed to be used as a classroom activity and can be conducted by teachers, counselors or any school leaders.
“This campaign reminds students of the importance of prioritizing their mental health and of the many supports that are available to them,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez in a statement.
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