Why we must support our schools & mental health services

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Dear Editor:

As a mother of four kids – ages 12 to 15 – currently attending Noblesville schools, I’ve watched them grow and thrive through their elementary years, at Noblesville West Middle School, and now at Noblesville High School. Over the years, my love for this community has only deepened as my children have flourished here.

But there’s more to my story.

I’m also a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and the owner of Delta Mental Health Services, located right here on the square in Noblesville. I am also sober, which has not always been the case.

There was a time when I wasn’t the mom or person I wanted to be. The people I loved the most, including my children, were hurt by my struggles, and that’s a truth that’s hard to admit. But I share my story gratefully, so maybe someone in a similar position will know that they’re not alone and there is a way out.

That was a hard and painful time for our family, and we needed a lot of support. Thankfully, we had it, including the mental health professionals in the Noblesville schools where my kids attended. They were a source of safety, support and love while I couldn’t provide that for myself, let alone anyone else. My children trusted them, and those social workers made all our lives a little less hard during some of our darkest days.

Over the years, I’ve met countless moms (and dads, and everyone’s) who have walked a similar path – many of whom are now living in freedom, free from the chains of addiction and mental illness. Sadly, I’ve also met too many young people who are no longer with us because they didn’t get the help they needed in time. Mental illness and addiction affect us all, whether it’s us personally, someone we love, someone we’ve lost, or even someone we’ve yet to meet.

The “us and them” mentality doesn’t really fit anymore. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate – it touches every demographic. Likewise, healing doesn’t happen in isolation and solitude. It happens when we are in community, supporting others when we can and accepting help when we need it.

Whether you’re religious or not, I’m going for bonus points with Grandma Esther by referencing a Jesus story here …

In ancient Jewish culture, leprosy was a severe skin condition, and those who had it were forced to live as outcasts, cut off from society. They could not approach “clean” members of society, and no one could touch them.

One man, however, decided he didn’t agree with that policy and approached Jesus, asking to be made clean. Jesus broke the social norms, like usual, touching him – an outcast – and healed him. There’s a part II, though, because Jesus takes it a step further and takes the man to the priests to be deemed clean and accepted back into his community, restoring both his physical and social well-being. Jesus was with him throughout, and he was invited back to life.

We can take the same approach with mental health and addiction. We need to break down the walls of shame and silence, educate ourselves and our kids, and talk openly so we can truly help each other.

The sad truth is that many of the kids in our schools don’t come from homes where their mental health is prioritized or protected. Some of the most trustworthy adults in their lives are the teachers, counselors, and social workers in our schools. In 2023, Hamilton County reported 322 cases of child abuse and neglect. Those are just the recorded cases. What happens to those children if we reduce mental health services in our schools?

So, at what cost are we willing to reduce these critical services? What are we willing to sacrifice by not voting to keep our current school board members, Christi Crosser, Stephanie Lambert, and their new running mate Bret Richardson (President of the Noblesville Schools Education Foundation), who are the candidates that whole-heartedly support these services? These leaders have been good stewards of our schools’ financial management and have already driven significant positive change.

The more I learn about their initiatives and character as individuals and community members, the greater my appreciation and respect for their leadership and they will certainly have my vote.

For my kids – and for the kids whose parents might not be able to speak up for them right now – I will gratefully use my voice in their support. Let’s ensure we continue supporting the mental health services available in the Noblesville school system. These services can change (and save) lives, just like they did for my family.

Jami Cecil, FNP, PMHNP
Owner of Delta Mental Health Services