Special needs students, ELs more positive about school mental health services

Students with special needs are more likely than general education students to report having thoughts of suicide — 22% compared to 14%. But they are also more likely to report there is an adult in school they can talk to when they’re having problems or feeling upset — 53% compared to 45% of general education students — according to a new YouthTruth analysis of students’ responses over a six-year period. Students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals and English learners are also more likely than peers not in those groups to report their schools have programs or services to help them. Students who don’t identify as male or female, however, are less likely than other students to say there is an adult they can reach out to at school for help. These students are also more likely than their peers to say they’ve seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months.