Mental Health Challenges Among Houston ISD Students
Houston ISD students report fewer mental health issues compared to the rest of the United States, but they are more likely to have attempted or considered suicide, according to a recent report published by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Key Findings
In 2023, when HISD’s enrollment was about 180,000, nearly 14% of its students said they had attempted suicide during the previous year, according to the report. That’s higher than the national rate of 10%. Some of the report’s top findings include:
- More than 18% of HISD students in 2023 had a plan for how they would attempt suicide, higher than the country’s rate of 16.4%.
- Students reporting mental health issues in HISD jumped from 26% in 2021 to 29% in 2023 — the national average increased from 22.5% to 29.5% in the same timeframe.
- Bullying among students on and off campus is on the rise. In 2023, nearly 16% of HISD students reported bullying on campus; nearly 14% reported being bullied online.
- Nearly one-fifth of HISD students missed school "due to feeling unsafe" on campus in 2023.
Causes and Solutions
The report’s observations underscore "the need for expanding mental health service delivery in Houston." Christopher Kulesza, the report’s lead author and a scholar in child health policy at Rice University, said that "we really see a mental health crisis across the entirety of the United States, particularly following COVID-19." The report proposes several solutions to address the mental health challenges faced by HISD students, including:
- Providing a permanent, on-campus mental health department for students
- Expanding anti-bullying campaigns for students and communication materials with parents
The Importance of On-Campus Resources
Having on-campus resources is a critical component to addressing mental health among students, Kulesza said. However, last month, HISD shuttered its wraparound services department, which provided non-academic resources on a campus level. The district has since directed students seeking non-academic resources to its seven Sunrise Centers, which are located off campuses. Kulesza emphasized that "there is really something to having more counselors on campus, not away from the campuses, so that services can really be provided and meet the students where they are."
Addressing Bullying
Addressing bullying is another way to get in front of mental health issues. HISD’s current policy on bullying establishes that students should have "mutual respect" among each another while outlining the consequences for those who break that rule — but the report says "disciplinary action may not address the problem effectively." The report suggests that school leaders initiate conversations among students about the importance of fostering respect among one another. Parents should also be made aware of how to recognize signs that their child is bullying others or is being bullied, along with effective ways of addressing that behavior.
Conclusion
The mental health challenges faced by HISD students are a pressing concern that requires immediate attention. While the district has made some progress in addressing these issues, more needs to be done to provide students with the support they need. By providing on-campus mental health resources, expanding anti-bullying campaigns, and fostering a culture of respect among students, HISD can work to reduce the prevalence of mental health issues and promote a healthier and safer learning environment for all students.
