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In 2007, the year I retired as Senate Majority Leader, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report gave Tennessee an “F” for poor academic performance, which sounded a wake-up call for Tennessee. After speaking with stakeholders across the state to develop a shared vision for improving student achievement, one thing became clear: Tennessee needed to make major changes to education.
That’s why in 2009, I founded the Tennessee Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring transformative change to education in Tennessee. While much work remains to be done, since SCORE’s founding, we have seen rapid growth and improved performance across the state. From 2011 to 2017, Tennessee made the fastest progress on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and data shows that we have recovered more strongly than any state from the learning losses caused by the pandemic.
But now Tennessee is facing a new wake-up call: a youth mental health crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic and made even worse by social media, that demands urgent attention.
Tennessee is not alone in this regard: More than four in 10 high school students (42%) have persistently felt sad or hopeless, and nearly one-third (29%) have experienced a worsening mental health condition, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than one in five students (22%) seriously considered suicide in 2021.
Poor mental health often goes unnoticed and untreated, yet it has a ripple effect on learning and overall development inside and outside the classroom. Physical, mental and emotional health are intrinsically linked to young people’s ability to reach their full potential. As a former physician, I believe there is a need to explore the intersection of education and health and foster meaningful discussions that explore solutions to related challenges. That’s why I launched a collaborative health movement called NashvilleHealth.
Recently, SCORE and NashvilleHealth hosted a symposium to launch the difficult work of addressing the student mental health crisis. Together with national, state, and local leaders, we had meaningful, data-driven, solution-focused conversations to inspire collective learning and action. Here are five takeaways that we believe will help strengthen student mental health and further the discussion:
Increase access to data
Despite the wealth of research, there are clear gaps that limit Tennessee leaders’ ability to assess the mental health of the state’s youth. In response, the Belmont Data Collaborative released a report in April that included a Mental Health Index covering all 95 counties in the state.
The index leverages publicly available datasets to highlight which areas have the highest mental health vulnerability, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of risk factors at the county and local level.
Analyzing community data alongside broader research and outside influences such as education and economic indicators can help education leaders and policymakers better evaluate strategies and move forward positively.
Developing local solutions to meet local needs
Encouraging community-based efforts is important because positive relationships with adults and a supportive environment have a significant impact on student outcomes. For example, at the symposium, Selina Sparkman, superintendent of rural schools in Bledsoe County, highlighted the effectiveness of a Project AWARE grant, part of a program that helps state and local education agencies provide school-based mental health programs and services. She shared the inspiring story of a student who had not been able to eat with her peers in the school cafeteria since she started elementary school, but who began to thrive after receiving support through Project AWARE.
As mental health issues in higher education institutions continue to rise, Dr. Zainab Okoro of the JED Foundation detailed the Foundation’s efforts to help universities address the crisis. Through the Foundation’s technical assistance program, JED Campus, schools have achieved measurable improvements in students’ mental health. Universities that have completed the program have reported a 25% decrease in students reporting suicide attempts, a 13% decrease in students reporting suicide plans, and a 10% decrease in students reporting suicidal thoughts.
Streamline and share best practices
Through the Collaborative School Health Model developed by the CDC, school districts across Tennessee have been able to link physical, mental, and social health with learning. Other states are doing the same, and similarly effective efforts are spreading to college campuses, schools, and communities across the country. Examples include the Sandy Hook Promise prevention program, university and college learning communities working to develop policy recommendations through the Association of State Higher Education Executive Officers and the Jed Foundation, the Harvard Center for Digital Thrive, and Community in Schools. Governor’s Strategy: Strengthening Youth Mental Health; The report, prepared by the National Governors Association, includes examples of successful policies and programs that states can emulate.
Empowering student voice
It’s important to include students in discussions that impact their mental health. We know that among Generation Z (ages 11-27 in 2024), the more engaged they are in school, the more positive their outlook on life. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to this. Students come from diverse backgrounds, with diverse experiences and needs. Efforts to implement solutions to their mental health need to take into account diverse perspectives. They will be much more powerful and accessible when they come from students and their peers.
Working together to create meaningful change
This crisis has no easy answers or quick fixes. By connecting the dots between education and mental health, leaders in Tennessee and across the nation can build a more resilient system of support that allows all children to reach their full potential. While schools can play a key role in supporting students’ mental health, this crisis cannot be solved by one group or policymakers alone. This challenge should not fall solely on schools, educators, or health care providers. We all need to act together to better understand the data, explore the research, share best practices, and engage in deep discussions. As a member of the Aspen Health Strategies Group, I am excited to dig deeper into the topic of youth mental health.
Critical conversations connecting mental health and education are gaining momentum in Tennessee and beyond. As Tennessee leaders answer the urgent call to support students, we must better understand the extent of the crisis, continue to explore connections and innovations across our health and education systems, and inspire collective awareness and action.
This crisis affects all of us: our children, our families, and our communities. Leveraging data, research, and a shared commitment to student well-being, education leaders, policymakers, and advocates must continue to work together to light the way to build a brighter, healthier future for future generations.
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