Mental Health

Why Mental Health Education in Schools is So Important?

Many mental health issues begin during the school years, so it is logical that mental health education should be a part of the curriculum.

With the prevalence of mental health issues in our society, it’s astounding that we still tend to stigmatize mental illness. Many mental health misconceptions still exist.

Because mental health issues often begin during the school-age years, it’s becoming more and more apparent that mental health education needs to start at an early age. Because children spend so much of their daily life at school, it seems logical that mental health education should begin in schools.

Some facts about mental illness

Millions of people globally are affected by mental illness. In America, an estimated one in five adults experiences mental illness in a given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Health.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in five children in the U.S. currently have, or at some stage have had, a debilitating mental illness. Fifty percent of mental illness begins by the age of 14, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

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The influence of social media on mental health

Current research indicates a possible connection between increased social media use and mental health, although it’s still unclear exactly how they are connected. What is clear is that young adults are the most active users.

Some studies show that online connections to small groups of people may be beneficial, while other research indicates a connection with anxiety, depression and eating disorders. With no long-term studies having been completed, we are still largely guessing at its influence.

The upside of social media is that teens are hardwired to socialize, and social media makes it easy and immediate. Teens in marginalized groups may find it easier to make friends and find support.

The downside of social media is that those using social media may be faced with many negatives such as toxic comparisons, cyberbullying and less face-to-face interactions. Someone’s reputation can be destroyed in minutes and face the consequences for years.

The importance of early intervention

Family, friends, teachers, and individuals themselves often notice small changes in thinking and behavior before a mental illness appears in the full-blown form. Learning about early warning signs, and taking action can help.

It can reduce the severity of the illness, and it may even be possible to prevent or delay the development of a major mental illness. Some of these signs are apathy, feelings of disconnection, nervousness, unusual behavior, withdrawal, mood changes and a drop in performance.

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Mental health education should be part of the curriculum

We need to be working towards a school environment where students are able to recognize when they’re dealing with mental health issues and feel they can ask for help.

79% of British parents feel that mental health education should be a part of the curriculum in schools. Across the globe, parents understand the need for mental health education for children. With 50% of mental health conditions developing in children of age 14 or below, the support for the cause is growing rapidly.

Adding mental health education to the curriculum

Open lines of communication between home and school should exist where parents are able to share their concerns about their children and collaborate with teachers to address them.

Just as physical education is part of the curriculum in schools, mental health awareness and education should be too. Our children spend most of their day at school. We need to empower them with knowledge about mental illness.

Progress is being made

A growing number of schools are beginning to realize the importance of mental health education. They are working to create an environment where mental health issues are recognized and support is offered.

School-employed mental health professionals work with teachers to provide support and with parents to better understand students’ needs and implement appropriate support.

In July 2018, New York became the first state in the U.S. to require mental health education for all students. The School Mental Health program will promote the healthy emotional, social, and behavioral development of all the students. 

It will also take into account the general well-being of school staff and families, and collaborate with other student support and services. Mental health needs will be assessed, and access will be provided to mental health services and programs.

What do we know about the effectiveness of these programs?

As reported in US News and World Report, a few small studies have found “that teaching high school students about mental health improved their attitudes toward treatment, increased willingness to seek help from a counselor and boosted their overall mental health literacy.” There is a pressing need for more studies to determine programs’ effectiveness and identify ways to improve them.

Mental health education is not yet mandatory in schools, and until it is, teachers and administrators need to help shine the light on the concept of self-care, with an emphasis on the fact that mental health is an integral part of health.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A culture shift needs to start with the young – the only way they’re going to understand more about mental health and stop stigmatizing is if they receive the necessary education.

Making mental health education a mandatory part of the school curriculum is long overdue. An environment needs to be created in schools where mental health issues can be identified and addressed, without being stigmatized.

Awareness needs to be created about mental health crises, such as self-harming, substance abuse, eating disorders and other negative coping behavior.

If everyone in schools is empowered with knowledge, and dialogue is encouraged, students will have the freedom to open up about what they are going through and get the support they need before it’s too late.