Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools

Mental health is equally important as physical health.

When you hurt your leg and it bleeds, it is clearly visible that you are in pain. But, your mental health problems cannot be seen, yet they can cause serious damage to a person’s life and well-being.

To work on the prevention of mental health issues, it is important to raise awareness about the problem. Schools are one of the best places to start mental health awareness, as according to the World Health Organization, close to 20%, or, one in five students, are actively dealing with a mental health issue.

What is Mental Health?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as mental well-being in which people can realize their abilities, cope up with the normal stress , work productively, and contribute to the community in a positive way. Mental health is the foundation for the well-being of people and the effective functioning of a community. Mental health has an impact on:

1. Educational outcome
2. Productivity at work
3. Development of personal relationships
4. Crime rate
5. Alcohol & drug abuse

10th October is celebrated as world mental health day to raise awareness on the issue, around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of it.

This day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their experience and discuss what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Why is Mental Health Important?

More than 450 million people suffer from mental disorders. According to WHO, by 2020, depression will constitute the second largest disease burden worldwide (Murray & Lopez, 1996). The global burden of mental health will be well beyond the treatment capacities of developed and developing countries. The importance of mental health is to save people from this global burden and to treat mental illness. 

1. Mental ill-health leads to social problems like unemployment, poverty, broken families, drug abuse, and related crime.
2. Medically unfit patients with depression have worst outcome at work.
3. Poor mental health diminishes immune functioning.
4. Chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, cancer increase the risk of depression.

What Can be Done to Increase Awareness?

Our teachers provide students with the resources and support they need when it comes to mental health. 

Here are seven ways to promote mental health awareness in the school:

1. We promote self-esteem. Our teachers help the students to understand that it is better to resolve the conflicts than keep thinking about them, and some setbacks are inevitable so just face them. 
2. We boost their self-confidence by supporting good decision-making, assertiveness, perseverance, and self-determination.
3. We encourage students to eat healthy and stay fit.
4. We provide outlets to relieve anxiety and stress. Physical activity like sports and meditation helps relieve anxiety and stress and works wonders on a student’s overall mental health.
5. We promote school policies that support mental health, such as bullying prevention.
6. Open communication with honesty and without being judgemental helps to open conversations with the students and know if they are in trouble. 

Tackling Mental Health in Schools 

Educate Parents and Students on Early Signs and Symptoms

It’s important for everyone in the school community to know the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, so they can help those who may be struggling.

For students, teaching a lesson on the importance of mental health or having posters around the school that serve as mental health check-in ‘reminders’ can help. 

For parents, a mental health evening can be held where they can ask questions and become aware of how mental health is important for their child.

The more mental health awareness is created, the less chance that anybody will have to suffer in silence.

A Safe Positive School Environment 

Most schools might have procedures already in place but need to focus more to improve the learning environment and ensure there is an atmosphere of safety and comfort.

Recognize when students make positive decisions, such as helping out a classmate, showing compassion towards one another, or studying hard for a test. Then by rewarding such acts of kindness, teachers can help create an atmosphere of positivity and support.

Encourage Social Time

Social time is incredibly important for the students to function properly and to refresh their minds. Scheduling 30 minutes where students can be social and focus on something other than the curriculum will help them make friends. This should be in addition to regular break times so they can chat with their peers about an everyday topic, their hobbies, current events, or complete a task together. 

Final Thoughts

It is very important to raise mental health awareness in schools since young students are seriously affected by mental health issues every day. They need a system to rely on and a proper source of information to guide them through this process of dealing with their inner issues.

Also read – Understanding the Importance of Healthy Eating Habits