Helping Students

This article provides an overview of the connection between the school environment and mental health, with a particular emphasis on common psychological issues that students face, and specific strategies to support students’ mental health and well-being.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health issues affect millions of youth, especially anxiety and depression. However, many young people are either inadequately treated or not treated at all, in part due to lack of awareness.

• Schools play an essential role in helping students achieve optimal mental health. They offer access to mental health resources (e.g. school counselors), can provide awareness through in-class educational materials, and can connect students to additional resources/services if needed.

• Mental health literacy, mindfulness, and social//emotional/behavioral development are three key areas where schools can help students to support their mental well-being.

The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Schools

Schools are one of the most important environments in which to spread mental health awareness. This is for several reasons, such as: ^{[1] [2] [3]}

• Youth spend a significant portion of their days at school

• It is a place to develop social skills and peer relationships

• Teachers and other staff can provide education, safety, and support

• Direct access to mental health professionals and support, such as school psychologists, counselors, social workers, and nurses

• Schools are sometimes one of the only (or the only) mental health services in the community, especially in rural areas

Common Mental Health Issues Young People Face

Mental health issues are on the rise in young people. An estimated 50% of all mental health issues begin before the age of 14, and 1 in 6 youth have a mental health condition. The most common mental health issues young individuals face are anxiety, depression, behavior problems, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ^{[1] [2] [4]}

Mental health issues can also lead to a range of additional challenges, further disrupting students’ well-being and life quality. For example, poor mental health in students is linked to decreased school performance, poorer physical health, substance abuse, and delinquent behaviors. In severe instances, it can also lead to suicide, which is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 10 to 34. ^{[1] [2] [4]}

Unfortunately, up to 75% of students are inadequately treated for their mental health issues or receive no treatment at all. These issues are particularly prominent in low-income areas and in minoritized youth. ^{[1] [4]}

How Does the School Environment Affect Mental Health?

Many aspects of the school environment can affect students’ mental health. Common examples include bullying, peer pressure, academic pressure, cultural and societal issues, and abuse.

Since students spend significant amounts of time at school, any challenges that arise in this environment can be difficult to avoid and often cause feelings of helplessness or significant distress for students.

Bullying and Peer Pressure

Schools are one of the most common settings where incidents of bullying and peer pressure take place. Students who experience these challenges may feel helpless or fearful, which can lead to significant anxiety and stress.

In addition, social media has amplified bullying beyond the school environment. Students can become targets of online harassment, such as verbal abuse and blackmail, which can further contribute to stress, embarrassment, anxiety, and depression.

Academic Pressure

Students often face pressure to perform at a high academic level. This can come from teachers and parents, as well as competition with other students. As students get older, they may face additional pressure, such as getting into college or university. Overall, these academic demands can cause significant anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues.

Culture and Society

A variety of cultural and societal issues can further impact students’ mental well-being. For example, students of various cultural backgrounds or minority groups may be more likely to experience discrimination, exclusion, and bullying, all of which can increase stress and harm self-esteem.

In addition, the culture of the school itself can influence how likely students are to talk about their mental health issues and to seek help. A more negative school climate is often characterized by mistrust of teachers, lack of support, safety issues, and other concerns, all of which can discourage students from seeking help, thus negatively impacting their mental health and overall well-being even further.

Physical and Sexual Abuse

Some individuals may also face physical or sexual abuse at school, whether from other students or teachers. These experiences can lead to severe distress, trauma, anxiety, and depression. It may also result in substance abuse or avoiding school altogether.

Substance Abuse

Students are often exposed to substances at school, particularly alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine. Regular use of these substances can lead to declined mental health and increases the risk of addiction, anxiety, depression, and poorer overall health.

Recognizing the Signs of Poor Mental Health in Students

Many signs may indicate poor or worsening mental health in students. Common signs to look out for, which tend to occur across various mental health conditions, include: ^[5]

• Problems with concentration, memory, or the ability to think

• Changes in appetite

• Sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness

• Loss of interest (and participation) in activities

• Restlessness

• Irritability

• Severe mood swings

• Angry outbursts or aggression

• Social isolation

Mental health issues can also lead to a noticeable decline in academic performance and increased school absences - important signs for educators and caregivers to monitor.

Overall, teachers, staff, and students alike must increase their mental health literacy so that they can better recognize and identify poor mental health in others. Teachers and other staff members who have gone through appropriate training can integrate mental health education into the classroom, helping to foster awareness, reduce stigma, and promote well-being among the students. ^[3]

Talking About Mental Health with Young People

Teachers and other school staff members have an important role when it comes to students’ mental health. They may be the first people that students open up to about their challenges, so it is vital to establish positive and trusting interactions.

To do this effectively, educators and other school staff should create a safe and supportive environment, where students feel comfortable sharing their concerns. At the same time, it’s important to establish appropriate boundaries and expectations as needed.

Creating a Safe Space

One of the most important things to do when talking to young people about their mental health is to create a safe and supportive environment. Practice active listening and respond in a non-judgmental, compassionate manner. Let them know that you’re there for them, and ask them how they would like to be supported. ^[6]

Following these conversations, you may determine that professional mental health support is required. If so, communicate openly with the student and encourage them to seek help from a professional mental health provider.

Supporting Marginalized Groups

It’s also important to provide support for individuals from marginalized groups, such as those experiencing racism, students from racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. In these situations, it’s essential to use supportive and sensitive language, practice active listening, and ensure that they feel respected, valued, and heard. ^[3]

Suicidal Ideation

Some students may show signs of suicidal ideation. If you notice this, they must receive immediate professional support or treatment. This may involve direct work with a school counselor or school psychologist, or treatment from a mental health professional outside of school.

In these situations, the principal, teachers, and parents should all be notified promptly. Suicidal ideation is an emergency that requires urgent attention and action.

Lesson Planning and Creating Awareness

One of the most effective ways schools can promote mental health awareness and offer support for students is through the use of classroom-based education. The curricula should ideally be focused on three key areas: ^[3]

• Increasing mental health literacy

• Promoting greater mindfulness

• Promoting social, emotional, and behavioral learning

Each of these areas involves specific strategies. For example:

• Mental health literacy can be improved through the use of interactive, skill-based lessons and peer-modeling programs, as well as general mental health education lessons.

• Mindfulness can be taught through classroom-based mindfulness education, small group mindfulness activities, and allowing students to independently practice mindfulness on their own.

• Social, emotional, and behavioral learning can be achieved through various classroom and group-based lessons on social skills, emotional regulation, and other key components. ^[3]

Together, these activities can increase mental health knowledge, foster more favorable attitudes, reduce stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviors. They have also been shown to increase feelings of support, reduce anxiety and depression, improve resilience, and reduce negative or problematic behaviors. ^[3]

Supporting Outside of the Classroom

Supporting students’ mental health outside of the classroom is essential as well. This can be done in several ways, such as:

• Encouraging healthy habits, such as a nutritious and balanced diet, stress management, regular exercise, and adequate sleep

• Connecting students to professional mental health services

• Promoting greater friendships and peer relationships, which can build feelings of support and reduce loneliness/isolation outside of school

Implementing Mental Health Support Programs

Implementing mental health support programs requires several key steps: ^[7]

• Comprehensive mental health awareness and support training for teachers and other staff members

• Integrating mental health education into the core curriculum

• Establishing dedicated roles for mental health professionals within schools (e.g. school psychologists, counselors)

The efficacy and overall success of these programs should be continuously evaluated and refined as needed, ensuring that students are getting the maximum benefit from these programs as possible.

Communicating with Parents About Concerns

When teachers identify mental health concerns in students, clear and compassionate communication with parents is essential. To do so, conversations must be open, honest, and non-judgmental, with clear and specific examples of observed behaviors and concerns.

It’s also important to respect parents’ communication preferences. For example, some may prefer phone calls, while others may require in-person conversations. Teachers and other school staff members should also discuss with parents the next steps they may need to take, such as seeking professional mental health services, if deemed necessary.

Additional Resources and Programs

Many resources provide further information and support for students’ mental health. Examples include:

• School Mental Health Action Guide (from the CDC)

• The National Center for School Mental Health

• School-Based Health Alliance

• Children and Schools Resource Center (from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)

• Mental Health in Schools (from the American Academy of Pediatrics)

Student Mental Health FAQs

How common are mental health issues amongst young people?

An estimated 1 in 6 young people have a mental health condition, while many other youth deal with general mental health concerns on a sub-clinical level. The most common issues are anxiety, depression, and behavioral/conduct problems.