editorial: New dawn needed for students, families

As 2023 sails off into the sunset, here’s a noble sunrise for 2024:

That Debbie Critchfield’s words of wisdom resonate; that we as Idaho adults recognize the massive gap in understanding our school-age children and grandchildren; and that for all our sakes, we figure out how schools and families can best work together to help these kids.

On Dec. 20, The Press published an opinion piece by Critchfield, the state’s superintendent of public instruction. It is about student mental health, a topic as foreign to many adults as ancient Aramaic. The subject isn’t just poorly understood; in many cases it’s loaded with enough social, political and religious triggers to blow up any earnest discussion before it can get started.

It’s a subject we scoff at, condemn or ignore at our great peril. 

Critchfield paints a disturbing, but instantly recognizable picture: “Fewer students graduate from high school having obtained a driver’s license,” she writes. “Fewer students graduate having worked for pay. More students are delaying life milestones outside of the virtual or online world. Many of our young people, who are in the lowest risk time of their lives, seem to be withdrawing from, well, life.”

And while the pandemic certainly hurt, it is not solely to blame. Nationally since 2010, Critchfield notes, teen depression in girls has increased 145%. Teen suicide for boys has increased 161%.

While acknowledging that progress is being made in parents talking about tough topics with their kids, Critchfield cites a recent Idaho report that illuminates the communication gap. “When asked if important conversations about drug use had taken place, 69% of parents said yes, while only 28% of kids agreed,” she writes.

Without assessing blame, Critchfield focuses on facing reality and then addressing this crisis — because that’s what it is — together.

“We believe families are doing their best and not all teens have suicidal ideation,” she writes. “We know that growing up is hard and this generation faces their own unique challenges.

“There is a place and role for schools, but they can’t solve the problem during the school day.

“Good school policies are needed, but schools aren’t an extension of the parent/guardian.

“Let’s have a statewide conversation that honors these roles as the best offense for Idaho’s kids.”

We can think of no project more worthy for the new year or for the state’s future.

Critchfield’s column: https://shorturl.at/cnsIQ