Learning about mental health is like understanding how our minds and feelings work. For young people, this knowledge is like getting a helpful set of tools to make their minds and emotions stronger. These skills are really important for dealing with tough times and problems when they’re kids and as they grow up. It’s like giving them a toolbox to manage and overcome different life challenges.
Knowing about mental health helps kids feel stronger inside and better able to handle tough stuff. It’s like planting seeds early on for a healthier way of thinking in the future. Learning about this stuff early helps kids build good ways to deal with their thoughts and feelings, making them more aware of themselves.
As they get older, this knowledge is like a guide for making smart choices about how they feel. It helps them create a strong mental health plan that stays with them as adults. Basically, teaching kids about mental health is like giving them the tools and ideas they need for a happier and more confident life.
Understanding the Impact
The National Alliance on Mental Illness says that around one in five people deal with some kind of mental issue. Even though signs of mental problems often start around age 14, many people don’t get help until they’re grown-ups. This is important because 60 percent of high school students with mental issues don’t finish school.
Ways to Make Students Feel Less Worried in Class
In New York, mental health experts say that helping out earlier could make things better for these students. Starting in July 2018, New York will be the first state to make mental health education required for all students. The main goal of New York’s School Mental Health (SMH) program is to make sure students grow well emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. They want to get rid of things that make it hard to learn, so students, families, and school staff can be healthier, along with other support services.
The SMH program does these things to help students
- Puts services and support in place for every grade level
- Check what mental health help students might need
- Gives access to behavioral and mental health services and programs
- Gets support from higher-level people, like those from the Department of Education
- It helps build good relationships between the school and students’ families and communities.
What Are the Benefits of Teaching Mental Health in Schools?
To help students who are having a tough time, it’s important to talk about mental health in schools because kids spend a lot of time there. Here are some good things that happen when we talk about mental health in schools:
Less Shame
When we talk openly about mental health, it helps make it normal. Right now, some people still feel embarrassed about their struggles. Talking helps stop that.
Find problems early
When more people know about mental health and the signs of problems, we can find issues early. This means we can help fix things before they get really bad. We know that fixing problems early can make a big difference in a person’s life. When students learn about mental health, they can notice problems not just in their friends but also in themselves.
Teaching mental health in schools can also include
- Help Take Care of Yourself:
Teach students how to take care of their bodies and minds.
- Encourage Talking:
Make it normal for students to talk about how they feel.
- Build Confidence:
Help students feel good about themselves.
- Create a Nice School Atmosphere:
Make the school a friendly and accepting place.
- Stop bullying and Violence:
Reduce mean behavior and fighting in school.
We need programs in schools that focus on mental health. If we do this, it will be easier for people to get the help they need, and it will lower the chances of having problems with emotions, social stuff, and behavior.
Children and Teens Experiencing Mental Health Issues
Feeling bad in your mind is a big problem for kids and teenagers. The CDC (which is like a health group) says that one out of six kids between 2 and 8 years old has some kind of mental health issue. Also, 8.4% of kids from 6 to 17 years old have felt sad or worried at some point. Research tells us that half of all mental health issues start by the time a person is 14 years old. And here’s another important thing: lots of kids, up to 70%, don’t get help for their mental health problems when they are growing up.
All these numbers tell us one clear thing: kids and teens sometimes have problems with their mental health, and not talking about it in schools doesn’t stop them from going through these tough experiences.
The Value of Mental Health Education
When kids learn about mental health in school, it helps them understand what might be happening inside them and also how to help their friends. Growing up brings a lot of changes, and sometimes it’s tricky to figure out what’s going on in a teenager’s mind. It’s even harder if they’re dealing with things like feeling sad and anxious or having conditions like ADHD or bipolar disorder. Kids and teens often feel more comfortable talking to each other than adults, so teaching them about mental health helps them know what to do when a friend is struggling and needs help.
Understanding their own mental health also helps them know their feelings and how to control them. Getting smarter about emotions and knowing themselves better is part of raising a kid or teenager who is well-rounded.
If we make talking about mental health normal, people will feel more at ease taking care of themselves and asking for help. If your kid or teen needs mental health support, knowing about it can help them speak up for what they need. This way, they can focus on feeling better and looking after themselves instead of dealing with problems all alone. It’s good for their school, activities, and everyday life.
Conclusion
Families, schools, and groups need to work together to create communities that care about mental health. Adding mental health lessons to school learning is a big step toward creating a society that values mental well-being and kindness. This doesn’t just help students; it also makes everyone more aware of how important mental health is for everyone.
Studies have shown that having complete mental health programs in schools helps students do well in school, learn social and leadership skills, and understand themselves better. Schools already help a lot with kids’ mental health
What is the biggest mental health problem for students?
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Suicidal ideation and intent.
- Eating Disorders.
What are the possible effects of good mental health on students?
Increased learning, creativity, and productivity; more pro-social behavior and positive social relationships; and improved physical health.
Why is mental health important for youth?
Good mental health helps young people build positive emotional, social, communication, and thinking skills and behaviors.
