Emphasizing Mental Health in Schools: Insights from a Mother’s Journey

By: Erica Stokes

As the new school year begins, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) wants to remind everyone that mental health is just as vital as physical health for students. With suicide being one of the leading causes of death among children and teenagers, it’s more important than ever to focus on mental health education and suicide prevention within our schools.

Wendy Sefcik, a mother who has experienced the devastating loss of a child to suicide, shares her thoughts on the AFSP’s Real Stories blog. Wendy emphasizes the essential role schools play in promoting mental well-being among students. She says, “It’s everyone’s duty to foster open conversations about mental health and to ensure students know how to seek help and access resources. When students are mentally healthy, their academic performance and overall life satisfaction improve significantly” (Sefcik, 2024).

Wendy’s perspective highlights the critical need for schools to integrate mental health and suicide prevention education into their daily practices. Doing so not only supports students’ academic success but also enhances their overall quality of life.

To read more about Wendy’s journey and her thoughts on the importance of mental health in schools, visit: https://afsp.org/story/a-mother-s-perspective-the-need-for-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention