Can peer support address student mental health? New York City Council members hope so.

To combat mental health challenges in schools, New York City Council members want to expand support for student wellness clubs and other peer-to-peer programs.

Under one proposal, the city would develop a pilot program to bring mental health professionals into middle and high school wellness clubs, council members discussed at a Monday hearing.

Other proposed bills in a legislative package focused on student mental health would require the city to expand informational materials for students seeking to start their own wellness clubs, as well as training for students interested in peer-to-peer mental health programs. Wellness clubs and other support programs that bring students together to discuss mental health concerns can raise awareness about the challenges students face at school, while reducing the stigma associated with seeking help, according to advocates and experts.

The proposals come as schools in the city and across the nation have seen a worrying rise in mental health challenges. For many students, the COVID-19 pandemic upended day-to-day life — isolating them from their peers, while in some cases causing financial or personal losses within their families. In recent years, educators have continued to report lingering behavioral concerns, even years after students returned to the classroom.

In New York City, the share of students who reported suicidal ideation jumped to nearly 16% in 2021, with about 9% of high school students reporting they had attempted suicide that year.

Read the full article here: https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2024/11/25/nyc-council-members-consider-legislation-to-support-student-mental-health/

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