One of the big issues that often comes up when we mental health providers all get into a room is, how do we keep those who struggle out of hospitals/ treatment centers?  It seems to be that unless one is a danger to him/herself or others, hospitals are not the right place for treatment.  The best kind of treatment occurs in the community and in school.  Why?  Because this is where we want a person with a mental illness to be able to function. 

Yet, there are few programs that actually effectively bridge the gap between a hospital/ treatment facility and school or the community.  Yes, there are day programs, which are simply hospital-like settings where the child attends during the day but lives at home.  And, there are residential treatment programs for children.

I am not advocating against these treatment modalities entirely.  There are special cases where there is simply no other option.  However, for the majority of children with mind disorders, I believe that the best way of treating them is to have the child in the world with all of the other children unless they are a danger to themselves or others.  I am a big proponent of inclusion of these children in a regular classroom setting, with the proper supports in place.  By this, I mean, SPECIALLY TRAINED teacher's aids with a background in mental health that can work with the students one-on-one until they do not need that anymore. 

When a child lives in a treatment facility/ residential program, they do not assimilate as easily back into the community and their schools because there is not continuity of care.  This term means that the child needs the proper supports in place in their school so that they can succeed in a traditional school setting. 

If we could train more teachers aids who are specialists in mental illness and the treatment of it, I believe that less children would be in hospitals/ treatment settings, and would instead be able to be in traditional schools with much success. 

Be Well.
~Emily