BROWN CO. (NBC 26) - — The uncertainty surrounding back to school is not only tough on parents and school district, but maybe for your kids as well. It could be especially hard on their mental health as their routines and social lives start to change.
Unfortunately, Children's Wisconsin said kids in our state are four times more likely to be hospitalized for mental health compared to the national rate; and the pandemic and confusion surrounding back to school, isn't helping.
"Even pre-COVID, we see our kids in Wisconsin are suffering from a mental behavioral health crisis," said Amy Herbst, vice president of mental and behavioral health at Children’s Wisconsin.
That's why this independent healthcare system says it's time to "Shine Through." It's a new campaign to raise awareness about mental and behavioral health to get the conversations rolling about the issue in your home. Especially as kids start heading back to school, do you know how they're feeling about it?
"Simply talk to them about how they're feeling about school starting again," Herbst said. "Maybe it's during a car ride or during a meal; or maybe while you're playing basketball in the backyard. What we're asking parents to do is simply say, 'So how are you feeling about school starting? What are you looking forward to? What is it that you're worried about?'"
The 5-year, $150 million pledge is focusing on seven initiatives; one of the main goals to increase early detection and get kids help as soon as possible. To learn more about it or to find more resources, click here. You can also get involved on social media by using #ShineThrough or #ShineThroughPledge to get conversations started among your friends and family.
But the issue of mental health hits close to home as well. Tuesday afternoon,Appleton Police posted they've seen a significant increase in the number of suicides and attempts, especially in young adults.
In a Facebook post, they said throughout the first six months of 2019, they responded to one attempted suicide of someone under the age of 20. This year, they've had six.
If you or anyone you know needs help, there are resources available. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text Hopeline to 741741. For more resources in our area, click on the Appleton Police Department's post below.
