Why More Mental Health Support Is Required For Students
The importance of mental health is growing by the day as more individuals recognise its value. Speaking openly about mental health was once frowned upon in society, but as knowledge and awareness of the subject have increased, this practice has evolved to be seen as more acceptable. Particularly with this new generation knowing the need of sound mental health for a healthy body and publicly addressing concerns about the same, society is developing an expansive viewpoint on mental health and reaching out for help when needed.
Irrespective of age, poor mental health could result in stress, depression, and anxiety which could further foster suicidal thoughts. Stress and pressure, particularly when it comes to students, have become a regular practice, as a result, of the growing level of competition and parental pressure to perform well. This, as a result, impacts the mental wellbeing of the students to a great extent and ends up affecting their capabilities.
WHO estimates that one in six kids and teens between the ages of 10 and 19 experience depression. This emphasises the significance of giving mental health the highest priority and raising student awareness of the issue. In this situation, schools play a very vital role in inculcating the value of sound mental health to students and providing a platform for them to discuss and address their issues.
Reasons students face mental health issues
Exam stress: The urge to perform well in exams and outshine your classmates often winds up leaving students stressed, which as a result, has a negative influence on their mental health. Moreover, what adds to that stress is the pressure to achieve good grades that parents expose their children to. All of this, often renders students anxious and leaves them depressed the entire time.
Peer pressure: Students frequently compare themselves to their classmates, which causes them to feel self-conscious and increases their stress levels. In an effort to perform like them, students often stretch themselves beyond their capacity, which exhausts them and impacts their mental health greatly.
Family issues: These issues often leave students in a state of depression and stress, which further ends up affecting their mental health significantly. This ultimately has an impact on their academic performance and decreases their enthusiasm in extracurricular activities.
Role of schools
It is no secret that mental health is just as vital as physical health. Especially for young students, having sound mental health plays a very crucial role in their overall wellbeing. And in order to keep the mental well-being of students in check, schools play an undeniably integral role.
Schools should provide students with a platform to discuss and address their mental health concerns openly. Moreover, it's important to plan special events and programs where mental health awareness is imparted and students are encouraged to practice mindfulness. Also, various mental health exercises should be planned for students to participate in order to assess their mental health and take timely actions. In addition, teachers should acknowledge and appreciate their efforts as recognition motivates students to perform well.
In addition to the schools, parents are also very important in ensuring that their children have good mental health. They should initiate open conversations with their children and provide them with a safe space to address their concerns. Moreover, it is essential for them to maintain a tap on their child's behaviour and take action as required.
The route to mental wellness
Mental health is an undeniably pertinent issue that necessitates open discussions and treatments in order to allow more individuals to understand its relevance and feel comfortable seeking help. Often school children are unable to recognise their mental health disorders or shy away from getting help after learning about their condition. Here, schools play a crucial role in recognising and offering young people the support they need to maintain their mental health. Organising events and programs, hosting open mental health conversations, imparting awareness and organising exercises, schools can surely provide students with better opportunities to identify and treat their mental health issues in the proper manner.
