Yet, we don’t teach them about their mental health. This gap in curriculum has a potentially huge impact on society for generations to come.
Poor mental health, depression, and anxiety affect the way students behave, interact in their communities, and make connections with others
.
What is the problem with mental health in schools?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in five children and adolescents experience a mental health problem during their school years. Examples include
stress, anxiety, bullying, family problems, depression, learning disability, and alcohol and substance abuse
.
Should mental health be taught in school?
One way to combat mental health is to become knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms. If students are taught about mental health in school they will be able to identify issues with their peers and themselves, and educators will be better equipped to distinguish if a student is struggling.
What are the disadvantages of mental health?
- Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life.
- Family conflicts.
- Relationship difficulties.
- Social isolation.
- Problems with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
- Missed work or school, or other problems related to work or school.
- Legal and financial problems.
- Poverty and homelessness.
How does mental health affect students?
Mental health problems can affect a student’s
energy level, concentration, dependability, mental ability, and optimism, hindering performance
. Research suggests that depression is associated with lower grade point averages, and that co-occurring depression and anxiety can increase this association.
Why is mental health not taken seriously?
Perhaps
because mental illnesses are simply not as concrete as physical illnesses
, they are often not taken as seriously. Contrary to this popular belief, mental illnesses are actual diseases that must be treated as seriously as a physical disease, such as cancer or heart disease.
Should schools do more to support mental health?
Why mental health and wellbeing is promoted in schools
flourish in their education journey.
build resilience against adversity
.
develop protective factors from mental ill-health
.
provide them with skills and confidence to self-seek help for early intervention
.
How does mental health affect kids in school?
Mental health problems
increase the risk of repeating a grade, truancy, and dropping out of school
. The risk of developing an internalizing or externalizing mental health problem can be lessened by changes in the school environment and by the implementation of evidence-based school programs.
Should we teach kids about mental health?
Schools need to realize that teaching mental health is important.
Teaching mental and physical health together leads to better outcomes for children and adolescents
. Students’ mental health impacts many areas of their lives, including their relationships with other people and with drugs and alcohol.
What are the impacts of mental health?
Health Impact of Mental Health
Evidence has shown that mental health disorders—most often depression—are strongly associated with the risk, occurrence, management, progression, and outcome of serious chronic diseases and health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease,
2 , 3
and cancer.
What impact does mental health have on society?
Unaddressed mental health problems can have a
negative influence on homelessness, poverty, employment, safety, and the local economy
. They may impact the productivity of local businesses and health care costs, impede the ability of children and youth to succeed in school, and lead to family and community disruption.
How does mental health affect people?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It
affects how we think, feel, and act
. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Does improved mental health lead to better grades in school?
The survey found mental disorders affected one in seven students in the previous 12 months and
students with mental disorders scored lower on average than students without mental disorders in every test domain and year level.
Why is mental health so taboo?
The topic of mental illness is often shrouded in taboo and stigma which
hinders open communication and relationships
. Opening up about your struggles can help. It can make others feel less alone and encourage them to speak about theirs in turn.
Why do we not talk about mental health?
Why is it so hard to talk about mental health?
The prevalence of stigma and discrimination toward people with mental illness makes it difficult to have a transparent conversation about how we feel
. But an open dialogue about mental health can help everyone heal.
What is the stigma around mental health?
Public stigma involves the negative or discriminatory attitudes that others have about mental illness
. Self-stigma refers to the negative attitudes, including internalized shame, that people with mental illness have about their own condition.
Do teachers care about students mental health?
Teachers can take steps in their classroom to help recognize mental health issues in students
. They can educate themselves and others on the symptoms of mental health issues, provide a safe environment, encourage good health, and help students access mental health resources.
