Special Education and Mental Health Awareness: The Takeaway

Hello again and welcome to my blog! This posting will serve as a recap of all the research and blogging I have done on this topic over the past several weeks. Allow me to first remind you of the very bill that is the backbone to my blog: The Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013.  This bill strives to advocate for those with mental illnesses or special education handicaps and help to improve standards under which they are currently being treated.  The area that I specifically focused on was mental health awareness in the education system.  

To begin this blog, I first did some research on the history of mental health in order to put this bill into context.  I found that mental health awareness can be linked back to the Mental Hygiene Movement which began in the mid 19th century.  It wasn't until the 20th century, however, when the National Committee for Mental Hygiene was established, the first outpatient mental health clinic was formed.  The awareness and advocacy for mental health has grown ever since.  Two specific notable organizations that I came across in my research were Mental Health America and the Mental Health Association of Greater Chicago.  Both of these establishments share the same common goal: to provide support and assistance to those struggling with a mental illness or special education handicap.

As my research progressed, I began to look for some stories in the news that I could apply to the topic of the bill.  I came across a story of an anonymous student at Princeton University which highlighted just how misinformed some schools really are on the reality of mental health (for more information on this story, refer back to my third blog posting).  This story was the perfect example of why we need to provide support for the Mental Heath Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013.  This bill will strive to properly educate students, faculty, and staff on the nature of mental illnesses, how to identify these conditions/seek help, and most importantly how to properly treat and understand those who have mental illnesses or disabilities.  The significance of this bill can be found in the huge impact it can have on the lives of the mentally ill.  They deserve to be understood, treated justly, and have the same learning opportunities as all students.  Mentally handicapped students have the right to feel just as important to society as their peers; they should never feel like a burden.  My research on this to

It and bill has provided me with a new perspective towards all those who are mentally ill and disabled, and I will use the knowledge I've gathered to educate others and advocate for the passing of the mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013. How will you choose to show your support and compassion for the mentally ill?      

Sources:

All previous blog postings 

https://www.google.com/images

Pros and Cons of the Mental Health Act

Hello and welcome back to my blog on the Mental Heath Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013! In this post I will be discussing the pros and cons of the bill.  As is the case with any bill or law, this act comes with both advantages and disadvantages.

The major pros of this bill will really have a positive effect on mental health awareness I. Our education system today.  This bill allows for schools to use school improvement funds in order to mental health awareness intervention or intervening services.  By doing so, students will be better educated on this topic and they will be able to recognize whether themselves or others may be in need of some mental health assistance.  They will also learn how to treat others who find themselves in these situations.  Educating the student body is the first step in improving school life for children with mental illnesses.  Not only will this bill create programs to educate the students, but it also strives to educate the faculty and staff.  All school personnel will be educated on the mental health awareness of their students.  They will be taught how to teach, treat, support, and identify any students that have or may have a mental illness.  They will have a better, more in-depth understanding of the needs of these students and the ways that they can help and guide them.  Some smaller, additional pros of this bill include the changing of the terms "substance abuse" to "substance use disorder" and "mental illness" to "mental health".  All of these advantages combined will create a much healthier, supportive learning environment for students with mental handicaps, and it will provide them with the proper attention and assistance they need.

There really are only a few cons to this bill, and they are minor.  Regarding school funding, schools will lose some of their funding money that they now will have to put towards the interventions and mental health services that the bill requires.  In addition, these services  and programs may take time out of the education of the students and faculty.  However, I don't truly see these factors as a disadvantage because, in the long run, they will benefit everyone.  By examining these advantages and disadvantages of the Mental Health Awareness and Improvement Act of 2013, I hope you as the reader can see just how important and beneficial this bill truly is! 

                 

Sources:

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s689#summary/libraryofcongress