Identification of the various symptoms of mental health disorders in K-12 Systems

Running head: IDENTIFICATION OF THE VARIOUS SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL
HEALTH DISORDERS IN K-12 SYSTEMS
Identification of the
various symptoms of
mental health
disorders in K-12
Systems

IDENTIFICATION OF THE VARIOUS SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
IN K-12 SYSTEMS 1
Identification of the various symptoms of mental health disorders in K-12
Systems
Abstract
This literature review aims to assess the symptoms of mental health disorders in
children studying in the K-12 system of education. Mental health issues affect numerous
students across the world. They have affected the socially interacting and learning
capabilities of the students. It is crucial to identify these issues due to their severe impact on
the educational institutions, society and families as a whole. Recently, there has been an
increase in the number of shootings and suicidal attempts in schools. It has increasingly
placed a focus on response to the problem instead of developing the interventions and
preventive measures for assisting the students on how to address their mental health needs.
The findings of this literature review reveal the types of mental disorders along with
their symptoms. They also illustrate the causes of these disorders which can help the
researchers to develop the preventive measures accordingly. It has been researched that
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which is one of the mental health
disorders is a commonly prevalent disorder in Australian children. These disorders develop a
criminal tendency among children. The students suffering from these disorders are three
times more arrested before passing their schools. These disorders decrease creativity and
output and increase the chances of physical harm and abuse posed to society.
So, the literature review is concluded by emphasizing the development of preventive
measures by the collaborative efforts of schools, parents, social workers and child
psychologists and psychiatrists. The children should attempt to indulge themselves in creative
activities and can sough advise for support groups if needed. They help them by making them

IDENTIFICATION OF THE VARIOUS SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
IN K-12 SYSTEMS 2
interact with children dealing with similar issues. The teachers should assess the stress factors
prevailing in the general environmental settings of the educational institutions and try to
transform these.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE VARIOUS SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
IN K-12 SYSTEMS 3
Contents
Identification of the various symptoms of mental health disorders in K-12 Systems......................1
Abstract.................................................................................................................... 1
Background and Context............................................................................................... 4
Introduction............................................................................................................ 4
Positionality........................................................................................................... 4
Methodology............................................................................................................. 6
Search Terms............................................................................................................. 6
Inclusion criteria......................................................................................................... 6
Search results..................................................................................................... 7
Discussion and Analysis............................................................................................... 7
The current knowledge about the topic and body of research...............................................7
What is mental illness?.............................................................................................. 7
Significance of new research........................................................................................ 12
Major Depressive Disorder....................................................................................... 13
Autism spectrum disorder......................................................................................... 14
Eating Disorders.................................................................................................... 14
Anxiety disorders................................................................................................... 15
Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactive Disorder.......................................................................16
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder..................................................................................17
School-based intervention and prevention.....................................................................18
Research findings................................................................................................... 19
Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 20
References.............................................................................................................. 23

IDENTIFICATION OF THE VARIOUS SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
IN K-12 SYSTEMS 4
Background and Context
Introduction
The mental health issues in K-12 systems of education have affected many students
along with social interactions and direct learning in the classrooms. Both of these factors play
a significant role in the success of students. The mental issues amongst the students is an
important health issue due to their frequency and influence on schools, society and families at
large. Much attention has been given to the mental health issues of children due to increasing
number of suicides and shooting in schools which have placed focus on responding to crisis
instead of adoption of a systematic approach to assist the students with their mental health
needs( Polanczyk, Salum, Sugaya, Caye & Rohde,2015).
So, this literature review emphasizes on the symptoms of mental health issues
amongst children studying in K-12 systems and concludes by stating preventive measures by
the combined efforts of schools, parents, social workers, child psychologists and psychiatrists
to curb the issue. It also states that positive mental health signifies the accomplishment of
emotional and developmental milestones, healthy societal development along with effective
managing skills so that the mentally healthy students enjoy a great quality of life and can also
function well in their homes, societies and schools. On the other hand, mental health
disorders can be explained as severe deviations from expected social , emotional and
intellectual growth (Ekornes,2015).
Positionality
As per Lawrence et al.,(2015) the rate of mental health concerns in Australian
students is one in every ten students residing in Australia. As per the Report On The Second

IDENTIFICATION OF THE VARIOUS SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
IN K-12 SYSTEMS 5
Australian Child And Adolescent Survey Of Mental Health And Wellbeing, students between
the age of 11-17 years were surveyed for assessing the number of students suffering from
mental disorders. Around 55% or 6,310 households and 89% or 2,967 young people
responded to this survey. The results of the survey were quite shocking. It was found that
one in every seven students aged between 4-17 years was suffering from a diagnosable
mental disorder in the last 12 months. It was equal to 560,000 children and teens in Australia.
Bateman, Lloyd & Tankersley (2015) stated that the most common prevailing
disorder is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) in Australia.ADHD was the
commonly prevalent mental disorder amongst 7.4% of children and teens. It was followed by
6.9% of children suffering from an anxiety disorder, 2.8% of students suffering from a major
depressive disorder and 2.1% of them suffering conduct disorder. 298,000 children aged
between 4-17 years in Australia were suffering from ADHD. 278,000 of them were suffering
from anxiety disorders, 112,000 were suffering from a major depressive disorder and 83,600
were diagnosed with conduct disorder in the year 2015. The survey also researches that the
various symptoms of mental health disorders can be anxiety, depression and manic-
depressive illness.
Kolbe, Allensworth, Potts‐Datema & White (2015) explained that these disorders can
result in increased rates of suicide amongst students caused due to interactions of mood swing
syndromes along with other factors. It is the main cause of death amongst the students aged
between 4-17 years in Australia.At times, these students may suffer from more than one
disorder. It is estimated that 30% of the students suffer from more than one disorder in the
last 12 months. The students suffering from behavioral disorders tend to be arrested three
times more before they leave school. The children suffering from mental disorders are more
inclined to have issues in their adulthood with severe impact on the society with reduced