The Importance Of Mental Health Education In Schools And Communities

People are quick to acknowledge the fact that mental health care is equally important as physical health care, but there is still a genuine lack of understanding of the broad range of mental health conditions and the impact that these disorders have on an individual’s livelihood.

In an era when children are suffering from severe anxiety and depression more than ever before, it has become incredibly important to improve mental health education and advocacy efforts in the community.

The Burgeoning Mental Health Crisis

Both anecdotally and statistically, all data points to the fact that the mental health crisis in young people today is reaching its peak. Educators and parents alike are finding that children and adolescents are suffering — young children are acting out in the classroom in ways that they have not before, adolescents are becoming abnormally withdrawn and kids of all ages are resorting to drastic measures to try and cope.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of children and adolescents who report poor mental health is on the rise. In 2021, nearly 30% of students surveyed reported that they had poor mental health, with 42% saying that they frequently felt hopeless or despondent. Devastatingly, 22% of students surveyed said they had considered suicide — with 10% attempting suicide.

Adolescents and teens have long been known for being moody and broody, but the data shows that today’s young people are experiencing something far more severe than typical teenage angst. The decline in mental health in young people is revealing itself in behavioural problems, risky choices, poor academic performance and fewer social connections. Acknowledging this crisis and working to address it needs to be a top priority among educators and community leaders.

Awareness and Advocacy Through Mental Health Education

Mental health education initiatives can help raise awareness among adults and adolescents alike and can help promote the importance of proper, well-rounded mental health care.

As mental health education has become more commonplace, researchers are starting to understand what works well and what is not as effective. Mental health education efforts that focus more on well-being and less on the signs and symptoms of disorders are more impactful, particularly among children, teens and young adults.

Mental health education initiatives should strive to:

• Promote positive habits that can increase happiness and improve overall wellness
• Showcase strategies that can be used to cope with feelings, emotions and experiences
• Provide students with information about resources that are available

Why Mental Health Education Is Important

Mental health education is vital when it comes to protecting and preserving the health and well-being of the youngest generation. Effective and thoughtful mental health education initiatives have been shown to:

• Improve academic performance across all groups
• Reduce risky behaviours in children and teens
• Provide young people with a sense of security and support
• Allow more people to feel like an included part of their community

Improving Access to Mental Health Treatment

In addition to implementing mental health education into schools and local communities, leaders also must improve access to mental health treatment. By being aware of the signs and symptoms of severe mental health disorders and offering young people a safe and accessible place to go in a crisis, educators and community organiers can connect adolescents with the treatment services that they need. From counseling and therapy to mental health treatment centers, children need access to trusted health care providers who can offer personalized and empathetic care.

The Next Steps for Educators and Community Leaders

Acknowledging the fact that today’s young people are experiencing something unprecedented is only the first step. Once there is an awareness, educators and community leaders must then take action. By blending social emotional learning into the academic curriculum, creating safe spaces for students to go when they are in crisis and connecting students to community resources, those in leadership positions can build a brighter future for today’s youth.