In Ohio, schools are required to educate students on how to handle harmful social media posts, but little attention is given to those silently struggling with mental health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 42% of students in the state experience persistent sadness or hopelessness, which can negatively impact their behavior and well-being.
Despite schools’ claims of caring about their students, true care for their mental and physical health requires a change in approach. One way to improve the well-being of students is by starting school at a later time. Research shows that as teenagers get older, they are getting less sleep, which can have a significant impact on their mental health. By starting school later, students have more time to rest and recharge, especially those involved in extracurricular activities or part-time jobs.
Aubrianna Spears from Jackson Township argues that schools need to focus more on the mental health of their students rather than solely addressing visible signs of distress. She believes that starting school at a later time can be one way to improve the well-being of students and allow them to get the rest they need to thrive academically and emotionally.
