Eight-year-old Arvan loves Pokemon, building with blocks, and bowling. He’s a kind boy with a big heart who always looks to help others. In 1st grade, Arvan started struggling emotionally and behaviorally at school, which began interfering with his learning, his friendships and his overall health and well-being. Other kids were sometimes unkind to him, he had trouble relating to his peers and when he got frustrated, there would be outbursts and running from the classroom. Sadly, he was showing signs of depression and made statements about hurting himself.
Staff at Knapp Community School in Racine stepped in, met with Arvan and his mom, Leanna, and suggested he start receiving in-school mental and behavioral health services provided by Children’s Wisconsin. Once therapy started, Arvan’s behavior quickly began to change. With skills and tools learned in therapy and modeled at home by Leanna, Arvan was learning how to cope with his feelings and interact more positively with others. His mood and ability to learn improved.
Having mental and behavioral health services right in Arvan’s school meant Leanna didn’t need to take time off work or worry about transportation and coordinating with his teachers. Children’s recently began a multiyear campaign to raise awareness and about and deepen our commitment to improving kids’ mental and behavioral health called Shine Through. Offering school-based mental and behavioral health care in schools across the state is one way we help reduce barriers and stigma and increase access to this important care for students and their families.