'Happening in every school': Psychologist, superintendent urge parents to talk about mental health
After a tragic week, the superintendent of Mustang Public Schools sent a letter to parents, asking them to talk with their children about mental health and suicide.
After a tragic week, the superintendent of Mustang Public Schools sent a letter to parents, asking them to talk with their children about mental health and suicide.
After a tragic week, the superintendent of Mustang Public Schools sent a letter to parents, asking them to talk with their children about mental health and suicide.
After a tragic week, the superintendent of Mustang Public Schools sent a letter to parents, asking them to talk with their children about mental health and suicide.
| MORE | Mustang superintendent sends message to school community after traumatic week
On Sunday, Mustang Superintendent Charles Bradley shared an email to parents, asking them to check in with their children each day to see how it was, including any bad moments they may have encountered. Bradley said he knows firsthand that these talks aren't easy, but they can start a line of communication between parents and children.
Timothy Doty, a licensed psychologist and member of the Oklahoma Psychological Association, said it's necessary for every parent – in and out of Mustang – to have communication about what to do if someone is experiencing mental health issues.
"It's happening in every school. It's happening in every district and every part of our state," Doty said.
He said it is up to adults to lead the way.
"If an adult can be contacted, then we can get kids connected with trained professionals," said Doty, who is also the co-owner of Green Country Psychology.
Doty said parents and adults should listen to children without students being afraid of punishment.
"Your average middle schoolers – our average high schoolers – don't necessarily have the developmental ability yet to make sense and process the complex social relationships and complex feelings around things that are happening all the time in communication," Doty said.
Adding questions like how their children are fitting into friend groups can help, Doty said.
| MORE | Oklahoma school district works to stop cyberbullying after traumatic week
He also suggested that parents do more than just listen. He said setting up rules for children on social media would be good for their safety.
One challenge Doty said he has faced is getting across why parents should talk with their children about what to do if they hear of someone threatening self-harm. Allowing that communication from children and not scaring them from those conversations could be lifesaving, according to the psychologist.
"We want to empower those kids to speak up and say to a parent, 'My friend is doing such and such, and I'm scared,'" Doty said.
If anyone is struggling with issues relating to mental health, they can call 988 to get help and resources.
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