Introduction
I would like to talk about a very critical issue: the need for more support for students in schools for mental health issues, such as depression, drug addiction, and abuse. Mental health is a concern that is frequently disregarded in schools causing many students to suffer in silence without receiving the necessary assistance. As a college student, I have observed how mental health disorders may affect students’ lives and academic performance. As a result, I feel that society should channel more attention towards students who are dealing with issues related to mental health, while concurrently ensuring that their familial bonds are maintained.
Prevalence and Implications of Mental Health Disorders
Firstly, it is critical to understand the scope and prevalence of this problem. According to the CDC, two in every ten people will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their lives (Duong et al., 2021). However, this issue is especially apparent in schools whereby over one-third of students experience serious mental health disorders during their educational life (Duong et al., 2021). These disorders can present themselves in a variety of ways, including anxiety, depression, and drug dependence.
These issues, if left addressed, can have catastrophic implications, such as academic failure, social withdrawal, and suicide. As a result, all schools should prioritize psychological care for their students. This can be done by adopting different approaches such as alleviating access to psychiatrics and training teachers to identify and manage mental health issues among students. These efforts can assist students who are dealing with mental health challenges to receive the necessary assistance while making them feel supported and accepted.
Access to Psychiatrists
Improving access to mental health specialists is one way to enhance psychotherapy in schools. To assist students who are struggling with mental health issues, schools may hire psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and mental health counselors (Puteikis et al., 2022). These specialists can offer individual counseling, group sessions, or other forms of therapy. Additionally, schools can collaborate with community-based groups like mental health clinics as a way to enhance access to these services.
Training Facilitators
Secondly, educational institutions can train teachers to identify and manage mental health issues among students. In the school setting, teachers interact with students more often, making it easier for them to identify students who may be struggling with critical health issues. As a result, they must be equipped with the relevant information and abilities to detect and address these concerns. Schools can train educators to recognize symptoms of mental health problems, communicate to students about psychological health, and refer them to professionals in the field on time.
Familial Support
Nonetheless, it is crucial to remember that school-based support should not serve as an alternative to psychological support from familial settings. Families are essential in adolescents’ mental health stability, and parental involvement in children’s lives should always be emphasized. However, a majority of households might not know how to react to mental health problems, or can be unwilling to get treatment for their children because of social or cultural stigma. As a result, schools and families should collaborate to offer comprehensive mental health care among adolescents. This can involve giving families knowledge and resources, setting up seminars and workshops, and cultivating an atmosphere that supports open communication and healthy relationships.
Conclusion
Mental health concerns are a serious problem in educational institutions. As such, schools and families need to boost their efforts to assist students who are dealing with these issues. Schools may help by recruiting mental health specialists and educating teachers on proper methods of identifying and responding to mental health problems among students. Furthermore, schools and families should collaborate to provide extensive psychological assistance and establish a supportive atmosphere that promotes mental health and well-being for all students. Through these actions, the psychological health of all students will be guaranteed.
References
Duong, M. T., Bruns, E. J., Lee, K., Cox, S., Coifman, J., Mayworm, A., & Lyon, A. R. (2021). Rates of mental health service utilization by children and adolescents in schools and other common service settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 48, 420-439. Web.
Puteikis, K., Mameniškytė, A., & Mameniškienė, R. (2022). Sleep quality, mental health and learning among high school students after reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of a cross-sectional online survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 2553. Web.