When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, schools shut down for in-person classes for months and sometimes years. Along with isolation and virtual school came an alarming increase in mental illness and substance use problems for teens. According to the 2021 annual survey from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 15.3 million young people aged 18 to 25 had a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental illness that year. 46.3 million people age 12 or older had a substance use disorder, including alcohol or drug abuse. Unfortunately, these issues are also affecting teens and young adults in school.

Increase in Academic and Disciplinary Issues

Dr. Arif Khan, a psychiatrist and adjunct professor of psychiatry at Duke University, told Yahoo News that easier access to legal drugs like cannabis was increasing drug use among teens. Along with increased mental illness related to the pandemic, the statistics among teens are leading to more disciplinary cases at high schools and colleges across the country.

According to Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health researchers, schools with higher levels of substance abuse and depression among students have higher rates of school discipline. Kids caught with drugs at school are more likely to face the school disciplinary process than to get help or education for substance use problems. They can face suspension, expulsion, even if a criminal case never materializes. For high school and college kids, this can impact their future education and career prospects.

Moreover, teens and young adults with mental illness have more academic difficulty in school. According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, mental health can affect a child's stress, energy level, dependability, concentration, optimism, and mental ability. Depression is associated with lower grade point averages, which can lead to higher stress and anxiety levels. Many college students also report that mental health issues interfere with their studies. This can lead to low or failing grades, academic probation, suspension, and even expulsion from college. But there are ways to negotiate with your school to ensure you receive the help you need with the lowest impact on your education.

You Need an Experienced Education Attorney-Advisor

If you're facing academic probation, discipline, or difficulty getting the help you need because of mental illness or substance use issues, you need a skilled education attorney to protect your rights. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the experienced Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm can help. They've been helping students, and their parents tackle academic and behavior-related discipline issues in schools and colleges across the country for years. Find out how they can help you too. Give the Lento Law Firm a call at 888-535-3686, or contact them online to set up your consultation.