May is graduation season for schools and colleges across the U.S.A. This weekend is a favored date for universities and colleges in California, while most grade K-12 continue until the end of the month. Today is also Mother's Day. It's easy to link these two events since mothers and school support are eternally intertwined. (Mothers, in and of themselves, are usually our earliest teachers.) This year, many proud moms, receiving their degrees or proudly celebrating the graduation of children, face the tensions of political protests disrupting campuses ceremonies. Regardless, graduates on all levels will be launched into the next phase of life, contending with and finding their way through our changing times. I am emphasizing the challenges of change as a realistic aspect of Mental Health Awareness month for all of us, including mothers, new graduates, and young children just beginning their path of discovery. In particular, I am advocating for mental health days.
Since the Pandemic, there has been a great deal of public and professional concern on the psychological well-being of children and teens in America. This initiated public and school related programs promoting mental health education and awareness, including the idea of mental health absentee days. In 2022, 12 states formally adopted Mental Health Day school absences, similar to traditional sick days, but not about physical illnesses or injury. (Washington, California, Illinois, Maine, Virginia, Colorado, Oregon, Connecticut, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Kentucky. Note: Some independent school districts allow mental health days, and some states still debate or simply don't consider it.) Recently, in a strange reversal, some medical and other opinion articles have argued that the educational focus on mental health concern creates the problem. Having read many articles over the past few years on public mental health, spotlighting the role of social media, gaming, inequity, drug use and gun violence, it is troubling to read a trend dismissing significant factors in mental health education. Rather, what is missing in mental health education is insight in the impact of a rapidly changing climate and environment on our collective mental health, including the children that it will impact the most.
Yesterday was the first email reference I have received on this crucial topic. It came as an AMA continuing education offer, announcing: "The year 2023 was the hottest ever recorded and included an unusually high number of extreme weather events, which are signs of a changing climate. This article describes how climate change can adversely affect mental health and suggests ways to mitigate these unfavorable effects... Clinicians should be aware of how climate change may affect mental health to prepare for patients’ evolving needs." Here in California, schools actively participate in environmental awareness, as do other--but certainly not all--school programs across America. That awareness comes with the understanding of responsibility to: "Reduce, Re-use, Recycle". This popular teaching jingle reflects a phenomenal shift in American consumerism. Yet, we are still a culture of cross-currents that include denial and subterfuge, along with our inventiveness, and commitment to recycle, research and adapt. Climate change is a significant unspoken, collective, cultural undercurrent in graduation 2024.
A "mental health day" is defined as taking a day off of work or school to allow for emotional well-being--a break from the pressure of responsibility to spend time in a relaxed, enjoyable, renewing environment that brings well-being and reassurance. It's another way of letting go to the wonder of life, without the burden. We let go, trusting enough to enjoy life around us, without pressure or worry of tomorrow's responsibility. This is the way of resiliency. Ease actually does nurture and strengthen resiliency. Doesn't that sound like spiritual surrender? When the load is too heavy, take that mental health day. (Susan Nettleton)
For recycling song: https://www.fultonschools.org/.../PreK%20Tuesday%20-%20PA...
For graduation: https://poets.org/.../graduation-bolinas-school-june-11-1971 https://poets.org/poem/graduation-bolinas-1973 https://poets.org/poem/graduation-bolinas-1972 http://www.wordslikethis.com.au/today/