BY KARISSA MILLER

The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education and Mooresville Graded School District Board of Education both unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

According to Mooresville Graded School District’s proclamation, the community can drive awareness and aid in helping students understand the importance of mental health and it impact on a person’s well-being.

“Whereas each business, school government agency health care, organizations and citizens share the burden of mental health problems and has the responsibility to promote mental wellness, support, treatment and prevention efforts,” according to the proclamation read by MGSD Board Chairman Roger Hyatt.

2022 I-SS Mental Health Proclamation

Mental health is a topic of utmost importance to students, families and educators, especially in light of the pandemic in the recent years;

WHEREAS, Children and adults have, as a result of the pandemic, lost structure and routine in their daily lives, resulting in isolation, anxiety, and depression of epic proportions;

WHEREAS, nearly one in five Americans lives with a mental health condition and those living with mental health conditions are our family, friends, classmates, neighbors, and coworkers;

WHEREAS, Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of death for youth today with nearly io percent of America’s youth reporting severe depression;

WHEREAS, Awareness and advocacy is a way to reduce the of the burden of mental illness by stopping the stigma and opening lines of communication;

WHEREAS, Iredell-Statesville Schools remains committed to Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention through various programs including but not limited to, its association with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Health, Children’s Hope Alliance, and the Sandy Hook Promise Program;

WHEREAS, the school district understands the vital role of our student services professionals, including our counselors, therapists, social workers, student assistance personnel (SAPs), and school nurses and the district remains committed to funding said positions;

WHEREAS, the school district continues its efforts to create thriving student ambassador programs in each middle and high school, along with active Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Clubs;

WHEREAS, the school district also remains committed to the mental health of our employees as well as our students;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education does hereby proclaim May of 2022 as Mental Health Awareness Month to continue conversations about mental health, build awareness, teach resolution methods, and contribute to the mental and physical health and well-being of our students and our employees.