The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently published new guidelines focusing on mental health in educational settings, emphasizing the importance of equity and the formation of race-based affinity groups.
The document, titled “Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools: An Action Guide for School and District Leaders,” was released to assist educators and school leaders in identifying and implementing evidence-based strategies and practices to enhance students’ mental health.
The introduction of the guide highlights the critical role schools play in fostering students’ behavioral and mental health through education, prevention, and early intervention.
The CDC’s guidance suggests that schools should not only be staffed with adequate mental health professionals but also require consistent support from administrators. A key focus of the guide is on equity as an essential factor in addressing student mental health.
The guide particularly prioritizes girls, students experiencing racism, those from racial and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQ youth, citing that these groups often feel less connected at school and are more likely to experience mental health issues.
To better reflect the student body’s diversity, the CDC recommends increasing the number of teachers from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. The guidance notes the disparity between the racial/ethnic minority student population and the proportion of minority teachers, emphasizing the positive impact of having school staff representative of the student body’s racial and ethnic diversity.
Furthermore, the CDC advises the establishment of affinity groups for students of color and LGBTQ students to enhance school connectedness for all students, especially those at higher risk of disconnection.
However, these guidelines have drawn criticism from some quarters. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, criticized the CDC, accusing it of using the nation’s mental health crisis to promote a radical left-wing approach to mental health, which she believes is not in alignment with children’s needs.
Foxx expressed her concerns to the Washington Examiner, arguing that the guidelines miss the mark on what is best for students and their families. She strongly opposed the idea of segregation in classrooms and stressed the importance of parental involvement in addressing sensitive issues like gender dysphoria.
In response to these criticisms, a CDC spokesperson clarified to the Examiner that the guide encourages the formation of affinity groups as a means to foster social connectedness among students with similar interests and identities, which can be beneficial for mental health. These groups could include a variety of interests such as chess, math, music, or art clubs, and the guide proposes similar groups for students seeking affinity based on shared identities. The CDC emphasizes that any interpretation suggesting otherwise is inaccurate and misleading.
