Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Schools

In today’s fast-paced world, mental health issues are not only common in adults but are also becoming prominent in children from 6 to 17 years. Schools indeed can be described as the second home for children, where they spend a major part of their day. Apart from preparing students for excellence in academics and other activities, schools can greatly assist in promoting mental health awareness among students. 

Recent reports from WHO have stated that one among five school-going students is fighting an unseen battle with mental health problems. Additionally, good mental health plays a key role in academic excellence and the overall well-being of a child. This blog will feature some prominent ways that can greatly assist in promoting mental health awareness in schools. 

Understanding the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health

An individual with good mental health by WHO has been defined as a person who can cope with normal stress, work productively, recognize their abilities, and contribute positively to the community. In school-going students, mental health challenges like depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health illnesses are attributed as a cause of laziness. This perception makes children fear speaking up to their parents, peers, and teachers about mental health conditions.

This stereotype can cause existing mental health problems even worse and can lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and depression. Children might develop this trauma that if they disclose their mental health condition to their peers, parents, teachers, or non-family members, they might get judged by them. Schools can greatly contribute to the creation of a society where children feel safe talking about emotions, feelings, and mental health.

Effective Ways to Promote Mental Health Awareness in Schools

To erase the stigma surrounding mental health, schools can play a crucial role. The following effective ways can significantly result in mental health awareness in schools:

1. Create a Supportive Environment 

A supportive school environment can greatly assist in promoting the emotional and mental well-being of school-going students. By encouraging open communications and discussions about mental health in classrooms, an environment supporting students battling mental health illness can be created. Teachers, by doing this, can help students feel that they are safe, valued, and understood. 

2. Build Resilience 

Teachers teaching students strategies on how to take care of mental health can be a significant step in promoting mental health awareness in schools. Through different activities, schools can help in the improvement of stress reduction and problem-solving abilities in students. These helpful strategies can build resilience in students to deal with normal stress and equip them with lifelong skills that will be essential in their adulthood. 

3. Provide Resources and Support

Incorporation of mental health education into the school’s curriculum is another effective way to foster mental health awareness in schools. Theoretical and practical sessions on stress management, self-care, and mindfulness can help students fight an unseen battle with mental health issues. Organizing celebrations on awareness of mental health and training teachers to recognize the signs of distress can be other significant resources to reduce mental health stigma in schools and society. 

4. Provide Specific Feedback

Teachers, through open discussion on how they deal with their daily stress, can provide specific feedback to students that can help them with stress management. By doing this, teachers can have a better knowledge of the mental health of their students. Additionally, it can help teachers provide valuable information to parents about their children’s mental well-being. 

5. Encourage Social Time

Encouraging activities in schools that promote social time can significantly help in promoting mental health awareness. Scheduling at least 30 minutes every day when students can discuss their hobbies, complete tasks together, and focus on something other than their curriculum can be greatly helpful. Encouraging students to participate in club activities, community services, and other extracurricular activities can be a prominent step in promoting the mental well-being of students.

Benefits of Mental Health Awareness in Schools 

• Promoting awareness of mental health in schools can help students recognize their emotions and learn about how to effectively manage different feelings. 

• Students can develop the courage to speak openly about their mental health condition, which reduces the risks of more negative consequences in their adulthood. 

• Studies have shown that students receiving the right guidance on mental health awareness have an 80% chance of showing significant improvements in their academics and adapting to new skills. 

• Awareness programs on mental health can significantly assist in developing self-confidence in students, reducing the cases of bullying, and early detection of crucial mental illnesses. 

Conclusion

From academic stress and career-related confusion to negligence or abuse and stressful personal experiences, there are many causes of mental illness in students. Choosing a school for your child that offers instruction about healthy mental health habits can be your informed decision for their mental well-being. At Sanjay Ghodawat International School, Pune, teachers through wellness lessons, activities, and workshops promote mental health awareness among students. 

Our knowledgeable teachers understand the importance of mental well-being in students’ lifelong success and offer the right support and guidance to students on mental health-related aspects. Our school offers a safe and supportive environment to students where they can openly discuss their battles with mental health issues with their teachers and peers. Choosing us as a trustworthy second home for your children can be a significant decision for their holistic development. 

Also read – Parent-School Partnership: Collaborating for the Success of Students