Trigger warning: this article mentions suicidality.
It is no surprise that schools play a massive role on a student’s mental health. With suicide being the leading cause of death in young people across the world, the mental health of these young people – especially teenagers – is something that must be taken seriously. Hence, promoting mental health in schools is a necessity. School staff are responsible for promoting mental health in schools and making sure that their students are doing well – both mentally and physically. Oftentimes, small things that teachers do go a long way in helping students feel good about themselves.
How to Act
The most important thing to always keep in mind is that teachers are not mental health professionals. This suggests that, sometimes, they could find it difficult when situations arise with finding the correct thing to mention or the correct way to act. Therefore, here are some tips that educators may be able to follow:
- Show you care and provide them with time and focus.
- Be yourself and be prepared to pay attention.
- Be non-judgmental, patient, calm, and accepting.
- Know how and when to go to others for help.
- If you are feeling out of your depth or comfort zone, do not try handling things alone.
Signs to Look Out For
Sometimes, students might not outwardly express their emotions or worries with the teachers, which is why it is essential for teachers to look out for various signs that are indicative of the fact that students are coping with some issues. Here are a number of signs to look at out for:
- Continually discussing their problems with a negative attitude
- Acting abnormally or out of character
- Having sudden and abrupt outbursts of emotion
- Lack of sleep
- Changes in eating habits
- Avoiding friends or other classmates and being very withdrawn
- Often mentioning the idea of killing themselves
- Intense worries or fears that get within the way of daily activities
Make Mental Health Known
Unfortunately, mental health is still a stigmatized topic, especially in the Middle Eastern area so students may be hesitant or embarrassed about what they are going through. As a result, schools need to make talking about mental health a top priority and set up different mental health programs in the school to not only help students who speak out but also recognize the signs early on.
Mental health issues could affect anyone. Therefore, it is important to concentrate on trying to help and guide students as much as possible and ensuring that they are safe and mentally healthy.