I have chosen to focus on the issue of mental health care access in schools for children and adolescents. I chose the bill H.R. 5469, To address mental health issues for youth, particularly youth of color, and other purposes. The reason I chose this bill is that at the moment I am placed at an alternative school and working with at-risk youth who are in high school, and the students are primarily youth of color. Currently, this bill is sitting in the House, it was introduced on December 17, 2019. This bill aims to address mental health in schools by implementing a school-based mental health program with culturally appropriate and trauma-informed strategies. This bill focuses on developing this program in schools that provides comprehensive mental health services for students who are dealing with traumatic experiences, grief, risk of suicide, and violence (H.R. 5469, 2019).
The social work perspective on this issue is that it is essential for children and adolescents to have access to mental health care, especially in schools. It is fundamental that the program provides trauma-informed care and that it serves all students regardless of their age, religion, sexual orientation, and/or color. The social work perspective focuses on the clients’ environment and their systems, using the frameworks Person in Environment, and the Systems Theory. These frameworks will also help address how students’ mental health issues are being impacted by their systems.
Elia's Policy Blog 