Introduction
Primary and secondary education lays a foundation for teaching children the basics – writing, reading, math and science. All to prepare them for their future in further education and the workforce. While these are all significant, we must address the mental health struggles kids face today. The capitalist system has made life more complex; therefore, helping children understand their minds remains paramount in today’s world, and with the help of the education system, this can be achieved.
The Rising Mental Health Crisis
The World Health Organisation has specified that 1 in 7 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 struggle with mental health conditions. And if not treated, this will accelerate into adulthood. They further confirmed that suicide is the third leading cause of death in older adolescents aged 15 to 19. Considering these statistics, there should be no reason why mental health education remains absent from the school curriculum. In school, children are not taught how to manage their emotions, cope with stress or even seek help for their mental health when necessary. Meanwhile, this has proven to be a pivotal aspect of life.
Why Schools Play a Crucial Role
Mental health remains a pressing issue in a child’s life. And schools are specially positioned as key addressors. A child with access to education spend a significant portion of their time in school. Therefore, finding a way to integrate mental health education within the school’s curriculum can help. By adding mental health education, students can be equipped with ways to be aware of early signs of mental health struggles, which can potentially decrease lifelong mental health battles.
Practical Solutions
These solutions should be specific to students, teachers, and the school community. Some of the strategies include integrating mental health courses into other subjects like biology, social science, and physical education: students will learn about different kinds of psychological stress, the impact of mental stress on the brain and body, healthy coping mechanisms, and the importance of physical exercise on stress reduction. Teachers and school staff should be trained about mental health issues, how to recognise signs, and how to respond effectively. We should also adopt self-care practices for teachers to ensure they maintain their mental health. Peer support programs that should focus on senior students and guide and support junior students; the network of students acts as informal counsellors that create a safe space for students to share their ideas and thoughts. Mental Health awareness campaigns will normalise healthy discussions on mental health issues, which include programs like personal stories, professional talks, and posters that create awareness and reduce the stigma among mental health issues.
Long-term Benefits
Integrating mental health education into curriculums provides long-term benefits to not only individuals but also society as a whole. Some of the long-term benefits are lower rates of mental health issues among the youth; that will, in turn, decrease the prevalence of common mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Better academic performance and social outcomes: mental health education is linked with better emotional intelligence, leading to better communication, problem-solving skills, and improved interpersonal relationships. Fewer occurrences of risky behaviours: early exposure to mental health education will equip students with healthy coping mechanisms. Over time, this will result in decreased risky behaviours like self-harm, drug abuse, or violence.
Conclusion
Integrating mental health education into the school curriculum benefits individual success and the long-term benefits of society overall. We can create a more companionate, effective, and committed society by equipping students with the proper knowledge and skills.
