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We Can Help. 914-345-5900 • help@mhawestchester.org |
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Mental Health Matters Every Day"Mental Health Matters Every Day" was the theme of the National Mental Health Association's (NMHA) recognition of Mental Health Month 2003. Their message is that children's mental health requires ongoing communication with adults, opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem, and appropriate guidance and discipline along with love. Children also need safe and secure environments. Many of our schools work to establish environments that are physically and emotionally safe and secure for students. Yet, one out of three students report that bullying remains a common experience. Bullying is not innocuous behavior that is eventually outgrown. The effects of bullying are painful and long-lasting. Bullying behavior may progress to increasingly serious antisocial behavior. Children are bullied because they are perceived to be different and vulnerable. They may be different because of their ethnic or racial backgrounds, their appearance, physical illness or mental illness, because they are not smart or are too smart. A particularly vulnerable group includes those students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or perceived to be gay by their peers. A recent survey by NMHA found that more than three of four teens say that youth who are gay or thought to be gay are teased and bullied. Gay youth who are bullied are at increased risk for depression, anxiety disorders, school failure and suicide. Overwhelmingly these youth say they do not know even one supportive adult at school. They say that teachers ignore harassment. Adults must address these issues and create safe environments for all youth in our communities and schools. However, it is difficult for many adults to discuss sexual orientation with youth. NMHA has published "What Does Gay Mean?", a booklet to help parents talk with youth about sexual orientation and prejudice. The booklet is available at the NMHA web site at http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=DE292B2D-1372-4D20-C8F3A2E5B306884B or by contacting their Resource Center at 800-969-NMHA (6642). Return to the top of the page.
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