The Reality of Mental Health Among Youth
Mental health is a growing concern among students in schools and can act as a significant barrier to learning.
According to the Ontario College of Teachers:
1 in 5 students experience a mental health illness or concern each year.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among teens.
1.2 million children and youth are affected by mental illness.
Less than 20% receive appropriate treatment.
What Can We Do
In the classroom, we are interacting with students every day who have mental health concerns or who are reporting poor mental health. Teachers have the opportunity to develop relationships and take on the role as a trusted, caring adult in students' lives. Therefore, we are well positioned to teach students about mental health, to identify students at risk, and connect them with additional support.
Let’s look at what we can do:
Create a Safe Space
Welcome students. Smile and greet students as they enter the classroom.
Build relationships. Get to know students, find out about their interests and ask questions to promote discussion. Show that relationships come first.
Establish clear expectations, procedures and predictable routines that promote physical and emotional safety.
Create a calming physical environment. It may be appropriate to allow for music, change the lighting and/or provide time for movement in the classroom.
Identify a separate space for students to go to take a break from the classroom as needed.
Allow students to access healthy food programs if available. Students may need food in their stomachs before setting into the classroom.
Check in with students often.
Be aware of student dynamics and be prepared to intervene if required.
Anticipate and create a plan for potentially dysregulating activities.
Allows for breaks as needed.
Have Discussions and Educate your Students About Mental Health
Set aside time for social emotional learning to take place. Create and deliver lessons on topics related to mental health, coping strategies, healthy relationships etc.
Discuss stigma with students and create an environment where students feel comfortable discussing mental health.
Teach emotional literacy. Educate students about how to recognize and name their emotions.
Discuss the difference between positive and negative coping strategies. Model positive coping strategies that promote mental health and practice them within the classroom.
Make students aware of in-school supports, community supports and crisis hotlines.
Discuss what you can do to support a friend who is struggling with their mental health. Role play and provide examples.
Identify ways to enhance and maintain mental health.
Identify and Report Any Potential Concerns
Students may not disclose that they are struggling and therefore it is important to pay attention and be aware of changes in student behaviour. There are many different types of mental illness and only a doctor can diagnose a student with a mental health illness. However, as educators we can look out for the following warning signs:
Significant drops in school marks
Changes to sleeping or eating habits
Avoiding friends and family
Frequent, angry outbursts
Drinking a lot and/or using drugs
Not doing things they usually like to do
Worrying constantly
Frequent mood swings
Obsession or lack of concern about weight/appearance
Lacking energy or motivation
Feeling down
Engaging in risky behaviour
Self harm or hiding areas of their bodies
Report these concerns to your school support team. This may include a school principal, school social worker, youth counsellor and/or school board psychologist. As appropriate, report concerns to parents or ask assistance from your school support team with this.
Listen and Validate
Students may come to you to report mental health concerns or you may hear from other students that they are concerned about a classmate.
Listen to student concerns and validate how they are feeling.
Remember it is not our job as teachers to suggest treatment options.
Do not downplay student situations by trying to help them see that it is not that big of a deal.
Consider connecting to others in the circle of support depending on the nature and severity of your concern. Follow your school and board protocols and pathways.
Let students know before they disclose anything that you have a duty to report information if it involves their safety.
You can say to students “Thank you for sharing this with me. It must be incredibly difficult what you are going through and I can see that XYZ is really impacting you. Are you okay if I get someone else involved to help us with this i.e. school social worker for example?
Always document and keep good records of your observations and conversations with students.
Report these concerns to your school support team. This may include a school principal, school social worker, youth counsellor and/or school board psychologist. As appropriate, report concerns to parents or ask assistance from your school support team with this.
Reference
College of Teachers, 2018 Professional Advisory: Supporting Students’ Mental Health.
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