Mental Health in Schools: A Growing Concern in India
Mental health & well-being of an individual encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which can affect anybody, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic status.
In India, mental health issues are a growing concern among students. A study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) found that 23 percent of school children in India have mental health problems. Students’ most common mental health problems include anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems. Several factors contribute to mental health problems in students. These include:
- Stress: Students are under much pressure to succeed academically, which can lead to stress. Stress can manifest in several ways, including anxiety, depression, and physical health problems.
- Bullying: Bullying is a significant problem in schools, and it can significantly impact the mental health of bullied students. Bullying can lead to feelings of isolation, worthlessness, and low self-esteem.
- Family problems: Family problems, such as parental divorce or domestic violence, can also contribute to mental health problems in students.
- Trauma: Students who have experienced trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse, are at an increased risk for mental health problems.
Mental health problems can significantly impact students’ academic performance, social relationships, and overall well-being. The same must be identified at the earliest to address mental health issues so they do not have a lasting impact on students’ lives.
Measures may be taken to promote student well-being and prevent mental health problems. These include:
- Raising awareness about mental health issues helps to reduce the stigma and makes it more likely that students will seek help if needed.
- Early intervention: Identifying and intervening in mental health problems early on is essential. This can help to prevent the problems from becoming more severe.
- Schools should create a supportive environment where students feel safe and valued. Help to reduce stress and promote well-being.
- Mental health services: Schools should provide access to mental health services for students who need them, including counseling, therapy, and medication.
The overall health and well-being of an individual mainly depend upon mental health. By taking steps to promote student well-being and prevent mental health problems, we can help to ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential. In addition to the above, a few additional measures are presented below:
- Train teachers in mental health: Teachers must be trained in a way so that they can identify mental health problems in students. This training should cover stress management, coping skills, and suicide prevention.
- Create a culture of support: Schools should create a culture of support where students feel comfortable talking about their mental health. This can be done by providing opportunities for students to connect with adults who can offer support.
- Make mental health resources available: Schools should make mental health resources available to students, such as counseling services, support groups, and online resources.
- Destigmatize mental health: Schools should work to destigmatize mental health so that students feel comfortable seeking help if they need it. This can be done by talking about mental health openly and normalizing the idea of seeking help.
By taking these steps, schools can help promote students’ mental health and prevent mental health problems in students. This will help to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in school and life.
How can parents be helpful in this regard?
Parents play a vital role in promoting mental health in their children. They can do this by:
- Talking to their children about mental health: Parents should talk to their children about mental health in an age-appropriate way through which the stigma associated with mental health problems can be reduced and ensure that children will seek help if needed.
- Monitoring their children’s behavior: Parents should monitor their children’s behavior for signs of mental health problems. This can include changes in mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and school performance.
- Creating a supportive home environment: Parents should create a supportive home environment where children feel safe and loved.
- Parents must encourage their wards to engage in healthy activities, exercise, and spend time with friends and family).
- Parents should consult and get help from professionals.
- By taking these steps, parents can help promote mental health in their children and prevent mental health problems; this will help ensure that their children can reach their full potential.
Here are some additional tips for parents on how to promote mental health in their children:
- Be a good role model: Children learn by watching the adults in their lives if you want your child to be mentally healthy, model healthy coping skills and behaviors.
- Be patient: Building a solid relationship with your child takes time. Be patient and understanding; let your child know you are there for them.
- Listen: When your child is talking to you, really listen. Do not interrupt or judge. Just listen and let them know that you are there for them.
- Encourage your child to express their emotions: Children need to be able to express their emotions healthily. Encourage your ward to talk to you and help them to find healthy ways to cope with their emotions.
- Celebrate your child’s successes: When your child does something well, celebrate their success. This will help them to feel good about themselves and build their self-esteem.
By following these tips, you can help to promote mental health in your children and prevent mental health problems. This will help to ensure that your children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
How can schools be helpful?
Schools can help promote mental health in several ways. They can:
- Schools must create a safe and supportive environment so students feel comfortable discussing their mental health. This can be done by creating policies that prohibit bullying and harassment and by providing opportunities for students to connect with adults who can offer support.
- Schools should train staff in mental health-related issues; the training may cover stress management, coping skills, and suicide prevention.
- Mental health resources: Schools should provide mental health resources to students, such as counseling services, support groups, and online resources. These resources can help students learn about mental health, cope with stress, and get help if needed.
- Destigmatize mental health: Schools should work to destigmatize mental health so that students feel comfortable seeking help if they need it. This can be done by talking about mental health openly and normalizing the idea of seeking help.
- Incorporate mental health education into the curriculum: Schools can incorporate mental health education so that students learn about mental health and how to care for it. This can be done by teaching students stress management, coping skills, and the signs and symptoms of mental health problems.
By taking these steps, schools can help to promote mental health in students and prevent mental health problems. This will help to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in school and life.
Here are some additional tips for schools on how to promote mental health:
- Make mental health a priority: Schools should prioritize mental health and allocate resources to mental health promotion and prevention.
- Work with parents and the community: Schools should work with parents and the community to promote mental health. This can be done by providing information about mental health, offering support groups for parents, and collaborating with community organizations providing mental health services.
- Be flexible: Schools should be flexible and responsive to the needs of students. This means being willing to adapt the curriculum and the school environment to meet the needs of students who are struggling with mental health problems.
- Be patient: It takes time to change a school’s culture and promote mental health. Be patient and persistent, and do not give up.
By following the above tips, schools can help to create a more mentally healthy environment for all students.
