TMS Student Robert Barsel to Help Standardize Mental Health Education

Upper School student Robert Barsel is working to help standardize mental health education in Nevada. As the impetus behind Senate Bill 313, Robert is partnering with state lawmakers to gain bipartisan support for the bill that will help bolster mental health care for Nevada students.

Robert’s journey at The Meadows began in kindergarten. Now a 17-year-old junior, he has been traveling regularly to Carson City to educate policymakers on the importance of mental health education for our youth and educators. Twenty percent of youth ages 13 - 18 experience mental illness, which impacts student performance and achievement. Those who experience mental health issues may have trouble completing homework, controlling their attention during learning tasks, and making and maintaining friendships. In addition, there are not nearly enough mental health professionals to address the problem in Nevada, which ranks last in providing mental health care for students. 

If the bill passes, it will enhance the mental health curriculum for kindergarten through twelfth-grade students. Also, it will educate teachers by introducing courses that will help reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and assist educators in understanding mental health concerns and how to address them. 

This is a monumental achievement for one of our students. Robert not only balances a busy schedule as a full-time student with extracurricular activities, but he also regularly strives to make changes in public policy. Thank you, Robert, for being a part of our community and for your dedication to making change!