WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

Serious emotional disturbances (SEDs) affect about 5 to 9 percent of teenagers in America. This means that SEDs—diagnosable disorders in children and adolescents that severely disrupt daily functioning—affect about one in 15 teens or, on average, two students in every high school classroom.

Growing evidence shows that when schools address mental health issues they can boost academic achievement, reduce absenteeism, and increase graduation rates. Not only do students with mental health problems experience difficulties but their teachers do also: it may be frustrating to teach such students not only because of their own difficulties in learning but because of the impact of their behaviors on the rest of the class.

Mental health awareness by everyone concerned may increase acceptance and understanding of people with mental illnesses, decrease stigma attached to mental health problems, and lead to treatment for youth with mental health disorders.

To help schools reap these benefits, the EBI has developed a variety of materials. These include a guide for school administrators, a teacher training package, and several other tools, all designed to help educators make mental health a part of their classrooms. To view these materials , visit this EBI web page for information and materials.   To learn more about how you can combat stigma in the classroom, visit this EBI web page.