Schools and Mental Health
What is happening at school that is impacting children’s Mental Health?
Children attend school to get an education, the reality is that children are not only learning about important subjects like Math, Reading, or Social Studies but also learning about responsibility, time management, peer pressure, and relationships.
The pressure that a child can have while attending school can vary.
Some common things that affect a child’s mental health include:
Keeping up with the curriculum requirements.
Fear of failing standardized tests.
Inability to focus due to distractions in the classroom.
Consistent Bullying or Peer Pressure.
Pressure maintaining friendships or relationships.
Fear of School Shootings or Violence.
Social anxiety.
What are schools doing to help with children’s Mental Health?
Serving a large community is hard, there is not a one size fits all solution to the problem that many children face at school. However, due to the large concern and rise of Mental Health issues, schools have taken many actions to try to create a better environment.
The need for mental health resources has increased, and many schools have now made it possible for children to get free resources some of these can be found by checking their website or asking a staff member.
Schools are now offering counseling services or referrals to students who may need emotional support.
Policies and procedures have also been updated to help prevent bullying or suicide. Policies like David’s law help those students who have been bullied and enforce anti-bullying policies. You can read more about David’s law by clicking here.
What can we do to help our children’s mental health while at school?
Behavioral interventions are a great way to educate your child on how they can handle particular situations that may arise in school.
Time management to help improve their stress related to school work.
Problem-Solving skills, teaching children coping skills to help them stay grounded in difficult moments.
Helping children create S.M.A.R.T goals that are achievable and measurable.
Creating a routine that promotes self-care and wellness.
Establishing a support system (for example peer support groups or a Therapist)
