Increasingly, districts are adding supportive services for the mental and behavioral health needs of students. Data shows that more students experienced anxiety or depression in 2020: 11.8% vs. 9.4 % in 2016, an increase of 25.5% over four years. A recent article in K-12 Dive offered practical suggestions for helping children cope. Five supportive strategies were recommended, including teaching coping skills and modeling techniques for reducing anxiety. Celebrating growth when students overcome fear or anxiety helps the student feel more empowered to control his or her responses in the future.
In some cases, a student may need intervention, but principals and teachers may miss the signs that indicate a student is at risk. Many Texas districts are using the Rhithm app to check in on students’ well-being. Through the app, students respond to a quick wellness self-check that takes less than a minute every day, using emojis and adding comments if they wish. The self-check is followed by a personalized strategy or lesson that takes only a minute or two. Data analytics provided to educators or counselors help to alert staff to students who may need additional follow up, to ensure that no student is overlooked. Rhithm is used in San Antonio ISD, Lubbock ISD, Keller ISD, El Paso ISD, and many other districts across the state as a way of helping staff be proactively aware of students experiencing stress before a crisis occurs. As Kristi Mendoza, Rhithm user from Keller ISD, said, “I love Rhithm because it helps reach ALL students instead of the just the few I can reach on a daily basis.” Learn more about Rhithm’s data insights at this link.