The New Hampshire House Education Committee met to discuss a proposed Bill that would require schools to include COMPREHENSIVE Mental Health Education in all schools. The Committee members took time to discuss the merits and the problems with HB505.
During the long discussion, a surprising admission came from Representative Cascadden (D), who represents Coos District 5. Her statement was even more surprising given her background in education, where she has worked as a Superintendent in our public schools.
Dr. Cascadden often times offers reasonable comments to consider when addressing proposed legislation. That is why so many of us were surprised to hear her comments on how to deal with students who are suffering from mental health problems that may be caused by issues raised in schools.
Representative Mike Belcher (R), who represents Carroll – District 4, asked the committee to consider some of what students face in school that could lead to mental health challenges for some students. You can hear him bring this up at 1:33:00 when he discusses a student who came before the committee on other proposed legislation and shared her struggle with some of the heavier topics that are now discussed in schools.
Representative Cordelli (1:32:00) first makes the case that maybe some of these problems students are facing could be coming from what is happening in the schools. Representative Belcher followed up with a call for some introspective thought and agreed that maybe some of the problems they expect the schools to solve could actually be coming from the schools themselves.
Rep. Belcher mentioned a student who testified on another Bill earlier that year. That student was practically in tears because students are now burdened with societal problems such as climate change and racism. She felt these problems were now on her shoulders. Rep. Belcher asked his colleagues if schools are now putting the problems of the world on teenagers and asking them to solve these problems.
This was a thoughtful question that deserved a thoughtful response.
Instead, Rep. Cascadden, in reply, says, “That’s why parents have choice.”
This response caught many by surprise. If the weight of the world has been put on teens, then maybe we need to look at that. Everyone is talking about students having to deal with mental health problems like no other time before. Let’s look at where teens are situated and spending most of their time in school. Why was that suggestion dismissed without any consideration?
Adults today are wondering why their children are struggling with their mental health. There are many factors that can contribute to a decline in a child’s mental health. It could be social media and bullying. It could be their home life, but it could also be heavy subjects that are discussed in school. Are teens going home with the belief that the future is doomed or that they are responsible for the actions of other people?
What happened to learning in a joyful environment? Many of us can remember a time when we learned academics in school but, at the same time, learned in a joyful environment with our friends who became lifelong friends. It’s where many teenagers met their spouses. It’s where we graduated with a lifetime of memories.
Today’s students have to deal with school shutdowns, forced masking, and societal ills. If they have any kind of home life that adds to these problems, is it any wonder that they are struggling?
Rep. Cascadden seemed like she was concerned about the mental health of children until she made such a flippant remark like that.
If the topics are too heavy for teenagers, then let’s listen to them. How are teachers approaching these subjects in the classroom? In a way that educates children or in a way that leaves them depressed, anxious, and believing their existence is causing the destruction of the planet.
Maybe Rep. Cascadden needs to look inward, too. If she does care about these kids, as she has indicated, then we should take into consideration how these subjects are taught in school, too.
