According to several sources, 1 and every five students suffer from a mental disorder. These disorders include depression, generalized anxiety disorder, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and several others. However, many of these students struggling will go undiagnosed and untreated which affects their ability to learn, pay attention, complete simple tasks and may experience uncomfortable physical side effects.
More recently, schools have become aware of our generation’s mental health crisis and have started to realize the importance of good mental health practices. However, are they doing enough to recognize the students who need help and support them? In our school specifically, we’ve seen a push for mental health awareness, MTSS to help students who may be struggling academically (which ultimately has an effect on mental health), mindfulness and meditation sessions, and a mental health therapist who works at the school.
Although this is a good start in the focus of mental health, there’s still a lot to be done. As someone who is diagnosed with clinical depression and generalized anxiety disorder (and medicated for these illnesses), I feel that drastic changes need to take place in our school system to really do an efficient job of supporting students and preventing these illnesses. I think that some changes that could be made would be to start school later in the day, allow more social interaction during the school day, and give out less homework (or no homework at all). I also think that the grading system could be changed so the focus is on learning rather than the grade you’re given. More accommodations should be made during standardized tests or finals in order to keep students' stress levels lower and give them more outlets to turn to if struggles increase.
Overall, I think that schools should do more to break the stigma around mental illnesses and the struggles that come with it. School should be a place where kids feel comfortable enough to open up to someone if they are struggling and they should be met or led to adequate support. If you are someone who is struggling, please reach out to a trusted adult or a friend.
Do you think that schools do enough to support mental health? Why or why not?
What changes could schools make in order to be more helpful?
Replies
Great topic choice and super job Gabby!
I don't think that they do. We all work really hard to do our best and do good on tests. However, I think that some of us aren't focused on the learning part of school where you can actually learn and grow as a person. I think that we just focus on grades too much. I also think that we lose some of our creativity as we get older because of this. I think that schools should possiblygive less homework and less tests.
I think schools need a little bit moe to support mental health. MTSS does help a lot I think, but I think there needs to me a little more for students behind because students are still struggling to keep up and are falling behind. I think schools should have a regular check up day to see if kids need help and are falling behind and to catch up, or if they have missed school and are swamped with work.
I agree that MTSS helps students, especially those who are falling behind. I also think that teachers could be a little more lenient with work and students struggling.
I dont think that the school does enough for mental heathy because I feel like they over look it if a person is not diagnosed, but if that person is diagnosed then they do things to help them with managing so they aren't as stressed. The changes that the school could probably do is give less homework like you said and give us more time.
I agree that teachers don't realize someone is struggling with mental illness, they'll overlook them. I think all teachers should be more understanding.
I don't think schools do enough for the students mental health. I think that a lot of kids that seem happiest are the ones with uderlying issues and the counselors and teachers don't even think that those kids would be the ones that end up doing things to cope. I think school should do more regular check ins with kids s they don't cope with it in ways that can be dangerous.
I like your point about check-ins with students. Obviously, these check-ins would have to be approached in an appropriate and helpful way, but they could catch students who are struggling who would otherwise go unnoticed.
I Definetly think that the mental health department in schools are lacking. Nobody even people with mental health problems aren't going to go to the guidence counselor. Because most times the kids feel like the counselor just isn't helping them. And most of the time this is true. Lastly I think that making a standard to have a better degree in psycology would fix most of this problem if not all of it.
I agree that the counseling department is lacking in their handling of mental health. From most people I've heard of after going to the counselor, mental health issues were usually treated as a "you" problem and they handle it more like a punishment rather than helping.
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