Teens’ mental health took a dive during the pandemic. Here’s how Rutherford County Schools is trying to help.

Student mental health worsened during the pandemic. Now Middle Tennessee schools are working to support students still battling with things like depression and self-harm. 

Rutherford County Schools is seeing an increase in the number of students in crisis. That’s according to Christine Bryan, the counseling supervisor for secondary schools.

“From the counselors, grades six through 12, just one month, we had over 138 students who attempted self-harm that they were aware of.”

Bryan said the district also lost seven students to suicide between June and December last year. She’s part of the team that goes to support the grieving school communities when a student dies by suicide.

“It’s heavy. It’s hard,” she said. “Everybody struggles with it.”

The district has a partnership with Alive Hospice, which offers grief support for students, staff and parents in the community.

In response to the rising cases of mental health issues, Rutherford County Schools is hosting a suicide awareness and prevention night, offering guardians information and resources to support students who may be struggling.  

Blackman High School will host a suicide awareness and prevention night in their high school auditorium on Monday, February 6th.

Participants will learn about risk factors,warning signs, and what parents and guardians can do. The night is open to RCS parents and guardians. pic.twitter.com/RWey7Sw3yK

— RC Schools (@rucoschools) January 3, 2023

Representatives from The Jason Foundation will be there, as well as Trustpoint, a local mental health hospital. Care Solace, a service that helps connect families to therapists and counselors, will also be in attendance. And translators will be on site, too, for Spanish- and Arabic-speaking parents.

What parents can do

For guardians who want to start a conversation about mental health with their students, Bryan has this advice: 

“De-escalate yourself. Take some deep breaths. Go someplace private.” She said parents can go for a drive with their student — anything that helps them connect.

Bryan also advised not getting upset or angry if students open up about troubling emotions.

“Don’t try to lecture them and tell them how they should or should not feel, because they’re trying to navigate that themselves.”

The district’s suicide awareness night is Feb. 6 at Blackman High School, starting at 6 p.m.

If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health distress, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.