RFK Jr. wants schools to back off regular screening for mental health issues. But what happens when no one's watching the signs?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Sec. of Education Linda McMahon want schools to stop screening kids for mental health.

In a recent Washington Post op‑ed, they warned that "medicalizing the unique and sometimes unpredictable behavior of young children can create new stigmas that students might carry with them for life."

Frankly, it’s refreshing to hear a prominent politician talk about stigma around mental health. I appreciate that RFK showed up to the conversation. Welcome to the conversation sir! Talking about stigma, especially by leaders of health, helps reduce it. That’s the good news.

The bad news is I find it a bit ironic that he is talking about stigma given his statements that essentially stigmatized the entire population of kids on the autism spectrum and how none of them will ever live a functional life. I wrote about it not long ago here.

But here’s the truth:
Eliminating mental health screenings do not help crush stigma.
It crushes opportunities for early intervention and prevention.

They argue that mental health shouldn’t be addressed with “universal screening, clinical evaluations and treatment plans” in schools. Instead, they call for a return to what they describe as natural supports: “strong families, nutrition and fitness, and hope for the future.”

Absolutely, strong families and nutrition and wellness are vital to every child’s mental health, just like it is for adults! Children having consistent access to loving parents/caregivers/families is necessary to a healthy life.

They believe schools should promote “outdoor activities, healthy food and exercise, and less screen time.” No problem here about any of that.

They worry that “treating every child like a patient” will undermine parents and hurt kids in the long run.

Ok, now you’ve lost me. 😕

Asking questions about mental health do not make the student a “patient”. They help crush the stigma and provide an opportunity for early prevention and intervention, which has been shown time and time again to better health outcomes.

Let’s be real. Many students don’t have access to those natural supports. Some grow up in households where depression, violence, or addiction are daily realities. Others suffer quietly in schools where the warning signs are missed, minimized, or never asked about in the first place. Screening isn’t stigmatizing, but fostering silence is every single time.

And while outdoor time and family strength are absolutely critical, they’re not substitutes for identifying real warning signs early—especially when students show signs of distress, trauma, or suicidal thinking.

The Risk We Can’t Ignore

Mental health screenings don’t diagnose kids. They provide an opportunity to listen. And in the event that a problem exists already, they help assess risk.

And one of the biggest risks they can help identify?
Suicidal thoughts.

Did you know that suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10–14?.

Let me say that again, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of pre-teen kids. It pains me to say that out loud. 😢💔

Students may not say they’re struggling out loud, but a screening question might catch it.

A missed question could mean a missed cry for help.
A missed cry for help could mean the difference between life and death. If an extra screening can help save one life, three lives, or hundreds of lives, the value is obvious.

This isn’t about labeling kids.
It’s about not losing them and promoting their mental health.

Here is more information about suicide: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html

What you can do now.

·  Ask your school administrators what tools they use when screening mental health and how consent works.

· Make sure screening is paired with counselors, social workers, and referrals.

· Talk with your kids about stress, sleep, mood, and coping. Normalize asking for help.

Good news! We’ve broken the 300-subscriber threshold. 🎉🥳

Thanks to all of you for coming along this journey.

Until next week, come back…be here.

Keith