Sidney Among Sites for Premier on Student Mental Health

Sidney has been chosen as one of six state sites to hold premier showings of a film exploring what the film’s makers call one of the “most pressing and complicated issues in public education today,” mental health.

Developed by the organization Nebraska Loves Public Schools, “The Mind Inside: Episode One” shows processes faced by schools in the area of mental health. It goes into the challenges students face, and the social, emotional and behavioral resources available for students who struggle, as well as short- and long-term solutions communities can provide.

Creators of the series say its goal is to create awareness around mental health and to encourage understanding, empathy, and support for students.

“Over the last year, we have spent time in counselors’ offices, listened to stories of students and teachers, and interviewed local and national experts,” said film director, Sally Nellson Barrett. “What we’ve learned is that mental health challenges are faced by students all over the country, in every school, everywhere.

“We created The Mind Inside series to explore what students are struggling with today,” Barrett said. “This topic is complicated and deeply personal and throughout production, I found myself being so much more understanding and empathetic the more I listened to these stories. I hope this film series does the same for you, too.”

Press information about the film says that most students are okay, able to deal with the problems they face in a healthy way. But, the release said, “there are many who don’t have the knowledge or have the skills to deal with the things that they are faced with.”

Nearly all students are faced with some sort of trauma, peer frustrations, anxiety or depression. Additionally, the film says 60% of all kids 0-18 are exposed to some sort of violence every year, and 20% of children who are diagnosed with a mental health problem don’t get services.

One of the interviews shown during the film is with a school counselor who said schools work hard to fulfill their goal to educate, but students aren’t always ready to learn.

“In some cases, those other things are standing in the way of education,” said the counselor, adding that students sometimes need additional help with those other concerns to be ready to learn.

The Sidney showing is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 23. It will be held at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

Following the premier, Nebraska Loves Public Schools and partner News Channel Nebraska will host a a ​“Take Action” reception with area nonprofits providing opportunity for audiences to learn what’s facing students and schools today and how to show empathy, support, and understanding for the students in the community.

The forum will include several local groups, including ESU 13, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and TeamMates.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the premier and the forum.