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

TEDx Talks
1 Feb 202007:22

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

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Related Tags
Mental HealthStudent AdvocacySelf-CareYouth WellnessAnxiety AwarenessDepression SupportStress ManagementEducation PolicyHealth EqualityYouth Suicide