Why you should take a break: Prioritizing mental health in schools | Hailey Hardcastle | TEDxSalem

Summary

The speaker shares her personal journey with mental health, advocating for its importance in education. She discusses the creation of a bill in Oregon allowing students to take mental health days, emphasizing the need for mental health care education and the importance of self-care.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker started their mental health journey at a young age, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
• 📚 A deal with their mother allowed for three mental health rest days per semester, emphasizing the significance of self-care in education.
• 🌟 The speaker's personal struggles with anxiety and depression provide insight into the challenges faced by many young people today.
• 🏫 The lack of open discussion on mental health during the speaker's upbringing underscores the progress made in recent years, especially regarding youth mental health.
• 🔄 The fluctuation in the use of mental health days reflects the varying degrees of stress and the importance of flexibility in mental health management.
• 🤝 The speaker's initiative to help other students with mental health challenges shows the power of personal experiences in driving social change.
• 🗣️ A high school forum revealed the widespread nature of mental health crises, indicating a need for systemic solutions.
• 📉 Research findings that suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth in Oregon highlight the urgency of addressing mental health.
• 🏛️ The establishment of Students for a Healthy Oregon and the introduction of House Bill 2191 represent proactive legislative efforts to combat mental health stigma.
• 🛑 The new law allowing mental health days off from school is a significant step towards normalizing mental health and physical health as equally important.
• 🛡️ The law's provision for tracking mental health days and referring students to counselors can help identify and support those in need before crises escalate.
• 🛠️ The speaker advocates for mental health education in schools, comparing it to physical health training like CPR, to equip students with essential skills.
• 🌱 The message that it's okay to not be okay and to take breaks is a reminder of the importance of self-care and pacing oneself in life's journey.

Q & A

What arrangement did the speaker make with her mother regarding mental health rest days during her childhood?

The speaker made a deal with her mother to take three mental health rest days every semester as long as she continued to perform well in school.

What was the speaker's experience with mental health issues from a young age?

The speaker began her mental health journey at the age of six, initially labeled as 'a worrier' by her teachers, and was later diagnosed with trauma-induced anxiety and clinical depression.

How did the speaker's mental health challenges affect her school life?

The speaker's mental health challenges made school overwhelming, leading to breakdowns and panic attacks, with days of high productivity followed by days of inactivity.

What was the societal context regarding mental health discussions during the speaker's childhood?

Mental health was not discussed as openly as it is now, especially concerning youth mental health.

How did the speaker utilize her mental health rest days during different semesters?

Some semesters she used all of her rest days, while in others she didn't need any at all. The availability of these days was what helped her maintain a balance.

What role does the speaker play in helping other students with mental health challenges now?

The speaker is using the skills she learned as a child to assist other students facing mental health challenges and is advocating for mental health awareness.

What was the impact of multiple suicides in the speaker's hometown during her first year of high school?

The suicides deeply affected the community and led the speaker to realize that mental health is a significant issue beyond her personal experience.

What was the outcome of the forum held with 100 high school students to discuss teenage mental health?

The forum revealed that every student had a story about a mental health crisis in their school, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.

What was the purpose of creating the committee 'Students for a Healthy Oregon'?

The committee aimed to end the stigma against mental health and prioritize mental health in schools.

What does House Bill 2191, which the speaker and her committee put forth, allow students to do?

House Bill 2191 allows students to take mental health days off from school, similar to physical health days.

What was the significance of House Bill 2191 being signed into law in June 2019 for Oregon students?

The bill's signing marked a groundbreaking moment, providing a legal framework for students to take mental health days and potentially save lives.

How does the speaker envision mental health education being integrated into schools?

The speaker suggests that mental health education should be as common as CPR training, with skills taught to manage mental health or respond to crises.

What is the core message the speaker hopes the audience takes away from her talk?

The speaker emphasizes that it is always okay to not be okay, to take breaks, and to look after one another's mental health.