Why do Students Need Mental Health Support and Awareness?

“Mental health is a state of well-being that enables people to cope with life’s stressors, realize their potential, learn, perform well and contribute to their communities.”, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This means that mental health is essential throughout our lives, from childhood to adolescence, adulthood to old age.

Understanding mental health and its struggles can benefit everyone, whether they are adults or teenagers. In today’s lifestyle, imparting knowledge about mental health to children from a young age helps them to be able to face such situations in life. For that, it would be great if children get mental health support and awareness from schools. Educating students on issues like anxiety and depression can not only help thousands of children, but also save their lives. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma surrounding mental health and it is often left out of the curriculum.

The Value of Mental Health Education

Providing students with mental health education right from the school level gives students the opportunity to not only understand what is going on, but also how to support and understand their friends and classmates. With constant changes and growth, it can be difficult to understand what’s going on in a teenager’s mind Providing mental health education to children opens up more opportunities for children and adolescents to communicate with each other and educate them psychologically.

Why Mental Health Education Matters

Mental health education empowers students with how to understand and manage their emotions, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. When students are aware of their own and their friends’ mental health, they can offer support and seek treatment as required. This not only improves the overall learning experience, but also promotes empathy and compassion.

Consequences of Lack of Mental Health Education

The lack of mental health support in schools is undoubtedly affecting the education and well-being of children and young people. Early intervention and a proactive approach to mental health are essential to ensuring that students have the support they need to succeed in school and in life. Mental health disorders may affect classroom learning in a number of ways, such as poor attendance, trouble focusing and paying attention in class, issues with academic achievement, poor social integration, difficulty adjusting to school, and problems with behaviour regulation—all of which are vital to the student’s success.

How to Improve Mental Health in Students

Student life is often considered the golden time of one’s life, and for the most part it is. However, it is essential to check their mental wellbeing from time to time even while living as a student.

Let’s look at some ways to improve mental health in students

• Sleep routine: It is essential for students to get the right amount of sleep daily to improve their mental health. So try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. When students suffer from insomnia, they are unable to concentrate on activities
• Healthy diet: Proper eating habits are just as important as proper sleep. Eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, protein, and fatty acids is essential for maintaining brain health and improving mental health naturally. Aim for 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily to improve health and stay hydrated. Moreover, it is a simple and quick way to improve one’s mood.
• Exercise: Exercise plays a huge role in improving a person’s mental health. Exercise releases endorphins that have mood-boosting effects. It reduces stress and anxiety. Students should try to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Being physically active can also improve one’s mental state and overall health. You don’t have to join a sports team or do anything competitive to be physically active, but you can walk or do yoga on your own.
• Connect with others: One of the most important things you can do for your mental health is to build a support system. Having a strong social support system can help you avoid the negative effects of stress. Especially spending time with family and friends can reduce stress and improve mood. Students should try to connect with others regularly.
• Take a break: Taking 10-15 minute breaks every couple of hours can help improve focus and concentration.

Schools need to encourage students to talk about any mental health issues they may be facing. Schools need to boost children’s self-confidence by supporting assertiveness, good decision-making, self-determination and perseverance. It is imperative educate teachers, students, and parents about signs and symptoms.   A teacher who is well-versed in the basics of mental health will be better equipped to deal with students experiencing mental health issues, and early detection and intervention are critical factors in the goal of reaching students with these conditions before they manifest into more serious problems.