With the school year not even at the half-way mark, the number of children needing mental health services is showing signs of being higher than last year.
Kayla Wright, director of mental health services with the Potter County Human Services Department, said providers are seeing an increase.
“There’s definitely an increase in anxiety and depression; bullying has been a huge issue in the schools,” Wright said.
At a recent meeting of the county’s Suicide Prevention Group, members noted an increase in referrals over last year for both the Student Assistance Program and the Child and Adolescent Service Systems Program.
For the entire 2022-23 school year, the SAP provided 31 screenings. With less than half a school year completed, the SAP has provided roughly two-thirds that number — 21 screenings — so far this school year.
In the CASSP, there were 111 meetings held. In 2023 so far, there have been 177, nearly a 60% increase, with a month still to go.
The SAP is a school-based referral program, where school faculty and personnel can refer a student for services if they believe there’s a mental health issue. Students may show a change in academics, changing of friends or group, isolation, change in hygiene habits, behavioral problems or signs of drug or alcohol use.
“This year we’ve seen a huge increase in vaping, even as young as fourth grade,” Wright said.
School districts are being proactive in addressing these issues, Wright said. The biggest challenge now is finding sufficient staff to serve the existing need.
“Our biggest barrier has been finding staff to fulfill roles as therapists,” she said. “We do have wait lists and recommendations for services, but staffing has been a huge concern.”
There are families/adolescents who refuse services. The greatest need is in family based service, an intensive in-home program with two therapists who work with the child at home, school and in the community.
Human Services is collaborating with BHARP, CCBH, local mental health providers and Potter County school districts to address the needs and determine a plan to recruit staff.
Once a referral is made, staff goes in and completes screening with the student. Most of the time, the screening identifies an area of concern — depression, anxiety, trauma — after which the student is referred to an agency for services.
The CASSP is a county program that receives referrals from school districts, children and youth, psychiatry offices, even probation or the court system if law enforcement is involved. A team meeting is scheduled to bring together the family, the service providers and insurance providers to review the student’s strengths, weaknesses, needs, identify available services and for everyone to agree on the course of action, followed by the actual referral for service.
Potter County is blessed to have a mental health specialist in each school district through Dickinson Counseling, Wright said. Youths who receive a referral for counseling can access that service in school during the school day.
There are other agencies that all stand ready to provide service. UPMC Cole and Dickinson also offer psychiatry services for children and adults, as well as counselors for students who choose not to access services in the school setting.
Some school districts have contracted with outside providers for counseling services. Northern Potter and Coudersport school districts have tele-therapy, where therapists can meet with a child through a computer or Zoom meeting.
Concern also offers intensive behavioral health services in the home, school and community.
Wright theorizes that the isolation during the pandemic has prompted some of the mental health issues. Although many students have returned to in-person setting for education, others have opted for online schools which can reinforce feelings of isolation.