The emotional story of Bismarck Teen Teen underlines mental health on the Indian Education Summit

Bismarck, ND (Kfyr) – In the North Dakota State Capitol, it was not just educators and political decision -makers. They were voices that have not always been heard.

For eleven years, the Indian educational summit has been focusing on making teachers better to operate local students, with the goals of increasing the final ratings and building up culturally reaction -fast classrooms. But this year the conversation went deeper and illuminated mental health and hope.

“When we don't talk about things like mental health, eastern, hurt. It hurts our hearts; it hurts our souls. Too many of our children have the feeling that it has no future,” said Sashay Schettler, deputy director of Indian and multicultural education. “According to the CDC, suicide and murder are two of the main causes for local young people.”

Schettler says that there is still a long way to go, with problems with limited legal protection and jurisdiction often wait for families.

However, hope filled the room and he came from an unlikely voice.

Haiden person, a quiet teenager from Bismarck, shared his personal struggle with mental health.

“I never really saw how boys get up and talk about such things,” Haiden told the crowd. “One day you feel good and the next day it feels like there is no way out. I don't want someone else to feel the way I did. Especially for boys, we should just handle it.”

Person also spoke about growing up in classrooms in which their home culture felt invisible.

“I had to teach myself about my own story. We hardly learned about Indians at school. I want children to be proud of who they are, are accepted and go to school without being assessed,” said person.

It was not just what person said for educators. It was the one who said it.

“I have known Haiden's family for years,” said Schettler. “He used to be so quiet and now he stands here and divides his story before hundreds of people. It is easy for nobody, especially for a young man. We are just so proud of him.”

The summit ends on Friday. The organizers hope that stories such as Haidens will stay with educators long after the end of the breakout meetings and reminds that sometimes the most important lessons do not come from experts. They come from the students themselves.

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