Opinion
Educational institutions need to engage in activities that can promote the sound mental health of students
Mental health of children is emerging to be one of the most pressing issues demanding our immediate attention. There is an alarming increase in mental health problems in children across countries, where the little ones are dealing with psycho-social stresses.
Sound Mental Health is a state of well-being where individuals are able to achieve their potential, deal with day to day stress and engage productively with their immediate communities.
The mental health of children is emerging to be one of the most pressing issues demanding our immediate attention. There is an alarming increase in mental health problems in children across countries, where the little ones are dealing with psycho-social stresses pertaining to poverty, domestic violence, trauma, neglect, and psychiatric disorder.
Many a time, mental health issues come up when a person is young and experiencing life in all its different forms. As a matter of fact, half of all mental disorders appear by the time a person is 14 years old. Three-quarters of all mental illnesses emerge by the time individuals are 25 years old. These are periods when people are studying in schools or colleges.
Family members are the first responders when students or young adults are not in sound mental health. However, what happens when the family itself is a cause for concern? For instance, in some households, the parents are addicted to alcohol which can have a negative impact on the mental well-being of children.
The onus, therefore, falls on the educational institutions to engage in activities that can promote the sound mental health of students. Schools can cultivate mental health in students by providing them with safe/inclusive learning environment as well as skills and poise to deal with day to day challenges. The schools can also provide assistance to students with additional needs and involve the learners in decision-making processes and providing help through a counsellor. The most important need at times is to provide someone who can listen to what the student or young adult has to say without being judgmental.
Schools can play a pivotal role in ensuring sound mental health by building resilience amongst students so that they can survive and emerge stronger in the face of adversities that may occur during different stages of their lives. Schools can also help build positive social connections, teach ways to handle stress and enhance competency in problem-solving skills and ingrain a sense of responsibility in the young ones.
In many educational institutions, teachers and educators are provided with the resources and tools to encourage inclusivity among students. This, in turn, creates stronger relationships between students and teachers. This is the birthplace of social sensitivity as it provides a learning platform to normal students about how to handle and behave with differently-abled students. The school communities become safe for young adults, where they can talk to their peers and teachers in case of any difficulty; this has a positive impact on their learning outcomes as well.
Role of schools:
Schools have a definite role to play in enhancing sound mental health in students. The educational institutions can empower children and facilitate mental well-being by ensuring a healthy climate within the premises and enhancing students’ sense of connection with their immediate environment.
Most children spend at least six hours a day on their school campus. As a natural corollary, schools become the ideal place for them for socio-emotional dependence as they are growing up and dealing with different kinds of emotional issues in their lives.
The schools/teachers are perfectly placed to prevent and intervene when students are being inattentive in class or showing some other symptoms of apathy or unease. They can then talk to the child openly and in a safe environment, thereby ensuring mental and emotional well-being of the young one.
Quite a few schools today have experienced psychologists, school counsellors, nurses and social workers on their payroll who can identify mental trauma, instabilities, and lack of emotional well-being. They can then take corrective steps at the right time such as intimating the parents so the child stops feeling helpless. These professionals can help students with classroom and behaviour management, cultural competence, learning disabilities, effective discipline, and dialogue with educators.
Some of the other ways in which schools can provide mental health support are:
• Ensure positive connections between students and adults.
• Maintain a safe culture within schools where students feel empowered enough to report issues.
• Conduct programs on effective problem solving, social inclusion, social skills, and emotional skills.
• Teach the craft of managing emotions.
Teachers and school staff can promote mental health within the school campus by encouraging social time with peers. They can promote an open-door policy where students are free to approach and talk about any issue without fear. Special events such as sports/activities day, where students and staff can get involved in a range of activities, can also have a beneficial impact on the mental and emotional well-being of students.
About the Author:
Shishir Jaipuria is Chairman, Jaipuria Group of Institutions, Ghaziabad