Is it any wonder why?
By CATRINA PETERSEN | The Center Square contributor
A new Illinois law recommends Illinois schools implement yearly mental health screenings for students enrolled in K-12th grade.
Regan Deering, a Mt. Zion school board member and State House candidate, said the new mental health screenings are a government expansion program being phased in this fall.
“I have seen a list of various schools that are already opting in. We had a variety of schools opt-in to the comprehensive sex education standards and that was the last big conversation we had around surveys and curriculum that are being implemented in our public schools,” said Deering. “I have concerns about this partnership as far as who is administering these mental health surveys.”
The IL Youth Survey may be administered to middle and high school students in public and private schools. The survey asks questions about gender, drug use, suicide and family dynamics.
One question that will be asked of Illinois 8th graders: Is there an adult you know (other than your parent) you could talk to about important things in your life?
“Obviously the gold standard is a mental health professional and perhaps a professional evaluation. If we are pushing this survey in schools, what does the delivery look like? Who are the qualified individuals? It seems to me that this new recommended mental health survey will be administered by more informal staff members and health providers,” said Deering.
Deering said the Mt. Zion superintendent Travis Roundcount has not heard of the surveys and the administration does not intend to utilize the IL Youth Survey.
“I asked if they had heard of these surveys and if they were aware of the legislation that offers this screening,” said Deering. “The superintendent’s response was that ‘neither the junior high or high school administrators had heard of the survey yet and that they don’t intend to use the survey.’”
The state has partnered with the University of Illinois’ Center for Prevention Research and Development and the data can be accessed by school administration and the center. Deering said she is relieved the law only recommends these screenings rather than mandates them.
Read more here.
No creepy social workers are speaking with my children!