Creating Equity through Services; Providing Emotional and Mental Health Support to Students in City Schools

Abstract

There is a disparity between social classes, when it comes to accessing mental health support. 14.9 million students that attend city schools are part of the low middle class that does not have easy access to mental health counseling. 60% of the 14. 9 million face even more barriers to accessing mental health, because they are part of a marginalized group. Systemic oppression and institutional racism are long standing barriers that prevent youth of color from gaining social capital that their white peers have to help navigate barriers to accessing care. The intersectionality of race and class status makes it less likely for majority of students to access the support, in fact 80% of low income youth will not be able to access emotional or mental health support. Currently, American youth spend 943 hours on average in schools. With the large amount of time spent in schools, schools are a good contact point to reach the students struggling with emotional and mental health problems. This paper will look at the different methods to implement programs that meet the social and emotional needs of students, it will look at the benefits of properly implemented programs, and will also look at barriers that exist in order to implement the programs well.