Teens are Asking Schools to Provide Mental Health Information
May 16 2024 - 10:29AM
Business Wire
Learn4Life’s trauma-resilient approach is doing
just that
Alexandria T.’s home life was rocky, and she struggled with
mental health challenges, including ADHD, anxiety and depression.
In high school, she got little support and found it hard to
concentrate on studies. Instead of dropping out, she transferred to
Learn4Life, a network of 80+ public high schools that offers
personalized instruction and a trauma-resilient approach, where
Alexandria finally received the help she needed.
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Learn4Life educators participate in
training to become Trauma-Resilient Professionals to better serve
students (Photo: Business Wire)
Teens want schools to play a bigger role in their mental health,
and they trust the information they get there, according to a
recent survey by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).
More than two-thirds of students agree schools should teach what
mental health is, and where and how to seek treatment. Yet, only 40
percent of teens say their school has specific programs or
resources to support mental health.1
Learn4Life, which has offered a trauma-resilient approach for
the past 15 years, is taking it a step further by having hundreds
of its student-facing staff of teachers, tutors, counselors, social
workers and more become certified professionals by Trauma-Resilient
Educational Communities (TREC).
The TREC model, based on Positive and Adverse Childhood
Experiences (PACES) science and protocols, is an active, integrated
approach to learning and practicing the skills of a
trauma-resilient education. The 20-hour curriculum includes
identifying trauma in students and teaching them how to build
resilience in the face of life’s ups and downs, and developing
healthy, trusted relationships. TREC schools practice restorative
justice rather than punishing students who might be acting out as a
response to trauma.
The multiphase certification program ensures educators
understand trauma, while being culturally responsive to cultivate
love, compassion and empathy for every student. A key element is
the importance of engaging in self-care and mindfulness to avoid
teacher burnout. The program benefits entire educational
communities by providing useful techniques to create harmony in and
outside of the classroom.
“Students in trauma respond in different ways, but at school it
can manifest in things like truancy, difficulty concentrating,
isolation and risky behavior like substance abuse,” explained Craig
Beswick, trauma resiliency specialist at Learn4Life. “We know that
before we can reach students’ heads, we need to reach their
hearts.”
According to Beswick, Learn4Life students who are engaged with
TREC resiliency programs and social-emotional learning curriculum
earn 17 percent more credits per learning period compared to
non-TREC engaged students, and graduate at a six percent higher
rate.
Alexandria graduated from Learn4Life and is a student at San
Diego State University, working toward a bachelor’s degree in child
development and plans to apply to their master’s program in social
work or counseling.
“Learn4Life taught me that even when you think the whole world
is against you, there are always people out there who care about
you. They want to see you succeed, but you have to be open to
receive the support,” she said.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, started by NAMI in
1949 to end the stigma of mental health, extend support and
advocate for policies that prioritize the wellbeing of individuals
and families affected by mental illness.
For more information about Learn4Life and its trauma-resilient
education, visit
www.learn4life.org/programs/trauma-resilient-education/.
About Learn4Life
Learn4Life is a network of nonprofit public high schools that
provide students personalized learning, career training and life
skills. Each school is locally controlled, tuition free and gives
students the flexibility and one-on-one attention they need to
succeed. Serving more than 59,000 students through a year-round
program, we help them prepare for a future beyond high school. For
more information, please visit www.learn4life.org.
________________ 1
https://www.nami.org/support-education/publications-reports/survey-reports/poll-of-teen-mental-health-from-teens-themselves-2022/
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Ann Abajian, Learn4Life (559) 903-7893 PR@learn4life.org