Leaders meet in Las Vegas to discuss mental health improvements for students
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Hundreds of leaders in behavioral health and education met at the Orleans Casino Tuesday to talk about how to improve student mental health.
From the different organizations and their booths to the panels inside, the event opened the communication channels and addressed the need for more funding.
One in six students have a mental health disorder, and only half get help, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Organizer Ash Mirchandani, the CEO and founder of Miracle Minds Therapy, explained their goal.
“We see a very fast, rapid growing trend for mental health services, post-covid,” Mirchandani said. “We want to draw the policyholders to recognize this need, and fund school-based mental health.”
The second goal is breaking the stigma surrounding mental health disorders. One of the topics was early intervention. Mother and Clark County School District Police social worker, Tonya Jones agreed.
“Normalizing it, feeling like it’s ok to talk about it. It’s ok to get it out,” she urged acceptance.
She expressed a desire for more free programs and more awareness of existing ones.
Jones is part of the “You Are Loved” campaign highlighting services within the district.
Looking to the larger community, Las Vegas City Councilman Brian Knudsen projected improvement over the next couple of years.
“Where all those cones are in the medical district, in the next 6 to 9 months, we are going to be breaking ground on a new medical facility for mental health services for youth within our community.”
While he didn’t share specifics, Knudsen teased about more dollars flowing to southern Nevada for mental health resources.
“All of us are really working toward the same goal: making sure every child has access to good, quality care,” Knudsen said.
Nationwide- one in three high school girls seriously considered suicide, according to a 2021 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can reach the National Suicide Hotline by dialing 988.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
