As school year comes to an end for districts across the state, there's an increased focus on how mental health services and support will continue through the summer, after another difficult year.
“At the high school it's a it's Warrior Day, which would be my first word,” Westhill Central Schools superintendent said as he made his way down the halls. “So it's a day of really celebration, bringing the school community together.”
Even through an exciting time, it’s a mix of emotions as the school year wraps up. Superintendent Stephan Dunham reflects on a year in the books and many ahead.
“It doesn't matter who you are. I think all of us right now have experienced trauma,” he said. “Here, if you just think about the last couple of weeks, it's imperative that we in schools are doing everything we possibly can to address the needs of of our students, our staff, our families, our community.”
In Dunham’s decades of work within CNY schools the stress on mental health services has become more than apparent.
“One of the things that stood out was, the needs now are greater than they've ever been," said Dunham. "And so as schools looked at budgets for 22-23 is really a big piece of that was, what else can we do?”
In Onondaga County alone, 86 schools are taking advantage of county assistance and have extra mental health professionals in place. It’s something Westhill proudly subscribes to, but is far from satisfied with.
“If you were to ask anyone in any school are we doing enough,” Dunham asked. “I think the answer is probably not you know, but I do think it's it's it's our obligation to do as much as we as we possibly can.”
Roughly 1,800 students in Dunham’s district and the focus for programs, budgets and anything able to help out the mental health of members across the community is more than needed.
“You turn on the news or on your social media feed, all of those things, whether it's Buffalo or Texas or Ukraine or other things that have happened over the course of last few years.”
It more than adds up and Dunham has talked with parents from a wide range of school districts in the area who have come to him with concerns.
“This community has certainly been tremendous about sharing their beliefs and their feelings about you know what we need.”
Because this isn’t just a moment in time that has a few things going wrong.
“You know, when things happen really anywhere, insider items we're trying to shy away from and try to paint a picture that everything's perfect in there are no problems and the reality is, you know, that's not true,” said Dunham. "Seeking out help and support when you are not doing well when your mental health is in a bad place is normal, it's acceptable. You should be applauded for it.”
Heading out to enjoy a school celebrating the end of the year and coming together, the hope is some day everyone will have the support and peace of mind they need. Dunham knows Westhill and so many other districts are working on it.
“Schools are doing an unbelievable job of trying to tap into some of the resources that the county's making available,” he added. “Some of the other resources in the community, again to make sure that when our kids walk into our buildings, and if one of their families needs support, we're giving them everything they possibly can to to be successful and to address their mental health needs.”