The mental health of today’s students is a growing concern. The National Alliance on Mental Health states “one in 6 children between the age of 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year”. Educators usually are the first to notice a mental health problem in a student. Thus, prevention is important.
Schools are a natural setting to support emotional well-being programs for students. Mentally healthy students are ready to actively engage in lessons and activities in school. They have appropriate problem-solving skills and do not have aggressive behaviors.
Mental Health Causes
There are many reasons students get mentally tired. Today, covid is one source of stress. The ongoing argument of masks is another. Students come to school with fears they hear and experience from their households. The scale of problems in the school environment and the family environment has changed with the pandemic. Thus, many schools are the source of help for students and families.
Students are not able to communicate their stress like adults. Many do not recognize a mental health issue. Nor can they describe why they feel overwhelmed. Therefore, students need stress management skills.
****One skill to release stress is to have students practice deep belly breathing. Students practice this exercise before lunch, between class, or before and after school.
****Also, daily exercise helps students not only to process learning but to release the stress of an upcoming assignment.
****Also, open discussions about feelings help students recognize a mental or emotional problem.
Mental and emotional problems affect various components of a student’s life. Concerned students reduce their quality of life. Additionally, it affects academic performance. Thus, it hurts friend and family relationships.
It’s Time To Take a Break
Fortunately, some schools allow students to take a mental health day as a legal excuse. A break is needed when symptoms are visible.
****A student’s behavior changes. The child may become either more reserved or more outgoing.
****The child keeps to himself or stays in his/her room more than usual.
****A student is short-tempered and get has anger issues.
****Physical changes occur such as headaches, stomachaches, or is sleeps more than normal.
****An unusually clingy child may be a sign of an emotional problem.
****Also, the child has a loss of appetite.
Know the signs of an emotional problem. A simple solution may be a need for a mental health day away from the pressures of school.
