PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. – In an increasingly challenging mental health landscape for children, school psychologists are taking center stage to provide essential support.
Meet Rachel Lizzadro-McPherson, the school psychologist for the middle and high schools of Sauk Prairie School District. She describes her role as that of a translator, adept at synthesizing information and delivering it in a way that resonates with different people.
Lizzadro-McPherson’s days revolve around engaging with students, teachers, and families, alongside mountains of paperwork. The 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paint a troubling picture, with nearly one-third of high schoolers reporting poor mental health. Lizzadro-McPherson sees the impact of this firsthand, noting the prevalence of anxiety and depression among students.
Matt Bell, the psychologist in charge of elementary schools in the district, echoes this sentiment. He highlights anxiety as a central issue among students grappling with regulation difficulties.
As Education Week reports, the growing demand for mental health support requires an expansion of the workforce, including psychologists, social workers, and counselors. However, many school districts are already grappling with a shortage of these professionals.
For Lizzadro-McPherson, school psychology is more than just a profession; it is her purpose. Having faced her own mental health challenges and moved around frequently, she found solace and inspiration in the few teachers who acknowledged her situation and held her to high expectations.
By prioritizing and enhancing the mental well-being of students, school psychologists are making a profound impact on the next generation’s future.