Mental illness affects how we feel about ourselves and others. Someone who struggles with mental illness may not be able to concentrate, make decisions, complete tasks, or interact with friends and family.
Mental illnesses include disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, postpartum psychosis, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder.
These conditions affect people’s thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. They also vary in severity and duration. Some people experience only one episode; others struggle with multiple episodes.
For example, someone who experiences symptoms of OCD might worry excessively about germs, cleanliness, or contamination. A person with bipolar disorder might experience manic highs followed by depressed lows.
Why Mental Health Matters For Students?
Many college kids today face pressures at school, home, and financially. If they’re feeling stressed out, they may not be able to focus on their classes.
One in four college kids has a diagnosable mental health issue, but nearly half of them don’t get treatment.
Mental illness affects everyone differently. For some people, taking an assignment or going to class may be difficult because they’re suffering from depression, anxiety, or another mental illness.
According to the Association of University and College Counselors directors, depression is the most common cause of student attrition.
However, even though there is evidence showing that some level of stress can help motivate people to get things done, too much stress can cause serious psychological issues. These include generalized anxious disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and social phobia.
Why Mental Health Matters For Teachers?
A study by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that teaching is among the most stressful professions.
According to the NCES report, 61 percent of full-time elementary school educators surveyed reported that they were “always” or “often” managing high amounts of daily stresses over a 30-day period.
Given the pressures faced by today’s educators, including rising student anxiety, decreasing funding, and increased workloads, it’s no surprise so many educators suffer from poor mental health.
Poor teacher mental health has far-reaching consequences for students, young people, and wider communities. It’s therefore essential that we support our educators so they don’t suffer from any mental health issues.
How Can We Improve Mental Health in Schools?
Improving mental heath in schools has a number of benefits — a higher rate of teacher retention, increasing levels of achievment for students and lowder drop out rates for student to name a few.
Focusing on the need for improving mental heath is just the first step. Looking after our mental heath can begin at school (at home) but should be an aspect of all aspects of our life.
By teaching stress relief methods, removing the stigmas surrounding mental illness, prioritizing well-being through encouraging healthy sleeping habits, adopting a growth mindset when it comes to learning and teaching, focusing more on gratitude and setting clear boundaries between education and the rest of life can all improve mental wellbeing in our schools for both staff and pupils.
