A lot of people would agree that mental health is important in school, but sometimes mental health is ignored, or warped into something it isn’t. Adults can shape the minds of kids, and if schools brush aside mental health, it can turn deadly for students. “I believe schools are designed not only for learning but also emotional life skills,” ELA Interventionist Richard McNanna said.
In fact, “One in five people live with some sort of mental disorder or disease. Despite the fact that the average age of early signs of mental illness is 14, most individuals don’t seek help until adulthood. Underlining the seriousness is the fact that 60 percent of high school students with mental illness don’t graduate” (Barile).
Teens and children can experience depression or anxiety just like adults. Some adults believe that children can’t be depressed or have severe anxiety, which is not true. The same goes for some schools believing kids can’t have problems. “8.4% of children between the ages of 6 and 17 have had depression or anxiety during their lifetimes. Studies have shown that 50% of all lifetime mental conditions begin by age 14” (Mindful Health Solutions). This research shows kids can sometimes have more issues than some adults, whether it be from home life, school work, bullying/harassment or other topics. They can severely be impacted immediately or later in life due to this. Edison Intermediate School (EIS) eighth grade student Jessie Gong stated, “Someone with bad mental health might be not eating, which could get them sick.”
Poor mental health has a wide range of effects. Ranging from lackluster school performance to depression, students can be severely affected. “You might be less motivated, and get worse grades,” EIS eighth grade student Annie Bandagale said.
Students all the way from college, down to elementary school can have problems with mental health. Sometimes these problems originate from genetics, or from home life. Bullying, stress, and anxiety are all critical problems to address in school. Mr. McNanna stated, “I have had many students over the years who have or has struggled with emotions. Many of my family members and I have also gone through mental health problems at times.”
When schools understand mental health and help students with not just academic problems, students can thrive academically and emotionally. Schools can do anything from hosting activities, bringing in therapy dogs, having assemblies, and in-school mental health days to just having one-on-one talks with students who have mental health issues. Eliana Dorner, a sixth grader stated, “It could be a good way to raise awareness.”
If schools focus on mental health now, it could set up students for success later on. Mental health is important for children and adults to understand, and kids of all ages need to be able to spot the signs of people struggling with mental health. Understanding mental health is a key aspect of controlling emotions.“Being able to understand their own mental health also allows them to better understand their emotions and how to regulate them. Increasing emotional intelligence and self-awareness is all part of raising a well-rounded child or teenager” (Wadmin). Emotional intelligence and understanding mental health is crucial to managing stress levels, anxiety, and other negative emotions caused by events in your life. Seventh grade student Zahra Sall agrees with this, “It’s good to have positive mental health.”
If schools and students work together, students will definitely go on to have a successful life.
