The Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education Justice (ARISE) stands in support of House Bill #HB5084, which proposes to provide schools access to a mental health curriculum. As an organization that works with youth aged 12-18, we’ve seen firsthand the impact that social emotional learning has on our students. Not only does it equip them with the tools and knowledge to navigate their immediate circumstances, thereby providing them with the mental capacities and safe spaces needed to thrive in school, but is key to preventing the manifestation of negative behavior as they grow older. To create a more supportive environment, and to combat the epidemic of abusive relationships, mental health instruction is necessary.
Below are direct testimonies from our Youth Leaders, all of whom are students in Rhode Island.
Ailani: “Students need to be able to identify their emotions and have access to ways to help themselves mentally. Most adults in this society don’t know how to control their anger or go through life mentally drained, it is best to teach young people how to nurture their mental health.”
Malachi: “I support this because I think mental health is not talked about until something happens. I believe that it is vital to discuss mental health and betterment and other things that may help you at a younger age, because that is when you are the most vulnerable and impressionable.”
Sila: “Mental health is just two words to most. But for many who struggle, it’s much more than that. Many people who struggle with poor mental health are looked down as being “misbehaved” or “lazy” or other degrading terms. Students need to learn to take mental health seriously, or the increase of poor mental health shall continue.”
Naomi: “My name is Naomi. I am a student at PPSD and I support this bill because it’s important for students to be just as engaged in academics as they are with the importance of mental health. And ignoring mental health and restorative practices upholds the school-to-prison pipeline.”
Gohan: “Mental health is a leading cause as to why students don't do well in school. If students can learn how to improve and control their mental health, it would benefit the school.”
Jasmin: “I support this. Mental health needs to be more recognized and students should be able to have emotional support at school as they may not get it in their personal lives.”
Sarah: “Students will always be going through something, whether or not they show it at school. When it comes to 7th graders, they're reaching that age where more responsibility will pile on them and they're starting to feel pressure. Even students before this age or reaching this grade, would have been going through some difficult situations. We need to implement this in schools so many students will see their mental health matters, and will be able to help people younger than them.”
Karriana: “I’m a student at a PPSD school and I believe that mental health is very important and should be implemented into the student curriculum because it’s something that’s neglected and looked over in school to the point where it’s pushed aside as something not important.”
