Promoting student well-being: Addressing mental health in schools

Today's students face unprecedented mental and emotional health pressures. Factors contributing to this include excessive smartphone use, which hinders real-world engagement and relationships, and the intense competition to secure dream college admissions or jobs, creating a high-pressure environment.

What can schools do to help students?

Strong connections with peers, family, and the community are crucial for combating mental health challenges. Schools should focus on building these connections, especially for marginalized students who may feel isolated.

Bullying and harassment, whether inside school, outside, or online, lead to poor mental health outcomes. Schools must establish committees to provide support and advice, safeguarding students against these issues.

Incorporating mental health education in core classes or extracurricular activities can help remove the stigma. Schools should encourage teachers and counselors to share personal mental health stories and invite experts to talk about emotional distress, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) focuses on understanding and managing emotions, building relationships, and developing social awareness. Effective SEL programs encourage students to seek support from trusted adults when facing mental health concerns.

Support Teachers' Well-being:

Teachers need programs to support their emotional and mental health, as they face high burnout rates due to their workload. Ensuring teachers' well-being is essential since they play a key role in maintaining students' mental health.

Anxiety, depression, and disconnection are rising among teens, as numerous studies show. Schools, parents, and policymakers must urgently collaborate to develop and implement innovative policies and programs to navigate these challenges.