Mental Health in Schools: Strategies for Supporting Students
In the past few years, the discussion of the mental health has received much attention, especially with regards to school environment. The understanding of the value of psychological health in enhancing teaching and learning environment has, in the recent past, been embraced by most institutions of learning. The COVID-19 virus worsened mental health conditions in the learners and it is essential to find the most suitable methods to help the learners cope with psychological distress. For this article, key approaches were identified that show ways that schools can begin building an environment conducive for mental health for all students.
Understanding the Importance of Mental Health in Schools
Believe it or not, the psychological condition of a learner helps or hinders learning, participation, and success in a learning process. Problems like anxiety, depression, stress and all may also greatly affect a student’s grades and relationships with other students. Various scholars suggest that students with mental illness experience problems like; poor concentration, truancy, poor grades among others. In addition, mental health issues may be a taboo in society hence, minimize on getting that assistance hence, it is crucial that schools establish a culture that embraces healthiness of the ADM students.
Strategy 1: Implementing Comprehensive Mental Health Programs
Cohort mental health programs are perhaps the most efficient ways through which a student mental health program can be implemented. These programs should be incorporated as part of the school curriculum to raise attention on cases of mental problems among students, members of the staff, and parents. Other examples of coping strategies which could be utilised by schools include; conduct of stress management, handling of emotions and feelings, and training on how to cope with difficulties. In this case, building the perception toward mental health in schools can go a long-way and reduce the number of stigma which hinders clients from seeking help when they need it. Further, with a popularity of health or life skills classes, educations lessons regarding the mental health can help students manage them and their problems. These programs can also entails students supported programs every student helps the other student and this creates culture of embracing and welcoming.
Strategy 2: Increasing Access to Counseling Services
Note that the latter indicates that students should be able to receive mental health services on or before their next school day in case of a referral due to mental health concerns. Some schools are employing fulltime counselor or other professionals who can always be available to solve such students’ issues. This can prove advantageous as there are student that may not be able to see a counselor or psychologist outside class.
It is prudent that counselors should be encouraged to develop ability to identify those persons who need psychiatric help and be in a position to offer the right help. In addition, the creation of a referral system that will link the students with such resources outside the college setting will improve the support for students. Schools can also perform mental health fairs or awareness days so students get an opportunity to get an understanding of services offered They as well as how they can be approached.
Strategy 3: Creating a Positive School Climate
The findings of the current study all pointed towards a positive school climate as being important in boosting mental health. This includes student engagement from the physical standpoint where the student feels safe and acknowledged. It sponsorships of these in Schools by encouraging tolerance, appreciation and gentleness to fellow members of the school fraternity. Students who suffer bullying should also be protected through anti-bullying programs and diversity promotion can be a good way to ensure that every and each student is accepted by his/ her peer.
Also, formation of good interpersonal relationship between students and staff can create the kind of network of support that the students can seek in times of stress. These relationships could be strengthened by weekly or monthly meetings, providing of mentors, and availability of specific hotlines for students where they can report their problems related to mental health.
Strategy 4: Encouraging Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Stress and good mental health are tied to physical health, which makes improving students’ health status an important goal of schools. Precise movements, nutrition and sufficient sleep are basic components which are decisive for a healthy person. Schools should engage these practices by offering physical dresses and health classes, offering healthy foods in school canteen, and enforcing sleep patterns among students.
Further, it is possible to use such simplest activities, like yoga or meditation, as mindfulness practices during the school day. That is why these practices can be useful in stress and contribute to the healthy adapt successful strategies for further mental health.
Strategy 5: Engaging Parents and the Community
Another way of increasing support for students dealing with Mental Health issues is by engaging parents and the larger community within mental Health programs. Hospitals can continue offering training sessions to parents in their schools with the aim of imparting them knowledge on latent mental health disorders. Increase in parent-teacher-counselor communication is effective in ensuring that everyone develops a shared strategy for the students.
Other partnerships can also bring improvements to mental health, available for the schools. Working with other mental health facilities in the local community will also offer other important ways of training, tools and networks for other students and families.
Conclusion
Mental health in schools is not simply a matter of schools; it is a matter of schools, children, youth, families, and more broadly a matter of society. This paper also described that how schools can help to promote student’s health, by offering strong, increased mental health programs, counselling, positive school climate, encouraging healthy choices and involving parents and community. Since mental health remains to be relevant concern globally, it becomes mandatory for institutions of learning to act proactively and see to it that students not only excel academically but also socially and emotionally. By these strategies, schools can contribute to the formation of a competent generation who pays proper attention to its mental health and readiness for a better future.
