We all have heard from our childhood that physical and mental wellness are extremely important. It is very clear, when we fall down and get hurt or injured, it bleeds which explains that physical health can be seen, whereas mental health can’t be seen causing severe damage to an individual's life and well-being. In this blog, we will see What mental health is, Why mental health is important, Importance of Mental Health Awareness in schools and How to build mental health awareness in schools.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health encompasses cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well-being. It all comes down to how people might think, react, and behave. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as mental health in which people can fulfill their gifts, cope with stress levels, fully work, and contribute Positivity to the community. Individual well-being and the smooth running of a community are both dependent on good mental health.
Why is Mental Health Important?
 Mental diseases affect around 450 million individuals. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that depression is expected to be the world's second most common illness burden by 2020. The global burden of mental health will outstrip both industrialized and developing nations' treatment capacity. The significance of mental health is to rescue individuals from the worldwide burden of mental disease and to treat mental illness. And when it comes to the question why mental health awareness is important in school.
Did you know? According to WHO (World Health Organization) almost 20%, which means 1 in every 5 students are facing Mental Illness. And the average age of the people who start showing symptoms of mental health issues is at their age of 14. This is one of the most important reasons why schools need to build Mental Health Awareness.
Increasing mental health awareness in schools might appear to be a difficult endeavor. 70% of mental health disorders that develop in children and adolescents can be treated successfully with early detection. Schools can assist at-risk children in seeking mental health care by spotting warning indicators of mental health concerns and offering mental health assistance. Children with mental diseases are more likely to have adult-onset physical health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. It is more important than ever for instructors to give children with mental health resources, opportunities, and support.
Have a look at a few facts concerning mental illness awareness and why it's necessary to include mental illness awareness in schools.
1.Mental health conditions have an impact on students Mental diseases affect students in a variety of ways. This is the main reason why it is important to build mental health awareness in schools. Some students struggle with their own mental health concerns, while others will have friends who are battling with mental health issues. A family member's mental condition will have an influence on certain kids. Others may be impacted by an educator's mental health issues.
Whatever way a student is affected by mental illness, they require knowledge and resources to cope. In order to manage mental health issues children need to know what exactly is mental illness, and how to recognize the early signs or symptoms of the condition. Most of the people dealing with mental illness find that they are alone, all they need to know before feeling low is that they are not alone, and they can speak out about the problem they are dealing with.
2.One of the fundamental goals of mental health awareness is to make people aware. This includes teaching youngsters about mental health and how to maintain good mental health. It is critical that young people comprehend the notion of self-care and accept responsibility for their own mental health. Furthermore, the concept that mental health is an intrinsic element of total health and well-being should be emphasized.
3.Mental health awareness has the potential to save lives Suicide and self-harm among teens is a very major problem. In fact, suicide is the second highest cause of mortality among young people aged 15 to 24. Raising awareness of the symptoms of depression and other mental diseases can benefit kids in identifying these difficulties and seeking assistance before it is too late. School may truly save lives by providing mental health education as well as information on how and where to get assistance.
4.Education can assist to decrease stigma is a mark of disgrace that arises when someone views you negatively as a result of your mental condition. These individuals are identified by their sickness and assigned to a stereotypical category. Negative opinions against stereotyped groups can result in sentiments of guilt, humiliation, disappointment, and suffering.
Raising awareness of mental disease promotes knowledge about mental illness with more knowledge, resulting in less stigma. This implies that students who have or think they have mental problems may feel more comfortable seeking treatment. And students who live with a family member dealing with mental illness will feel more confident to have a conversation about their experience and seek resources and help.
But do you know how to build this mental health awareness in schools? Here are a few ways for raising mental health awareness in the school.
- Â Encourage self-esteem.
- Encourage students to eat healthily
- Offer avenues for anxiety and stress relief. Practicing meditation, physical activity and the arts are excellent for self-expression and growth, and can improve a student's general mental health and capacity to deal with stress.
- Encourage the implementation of school policies such as bullying prevention.
- Make it clear to your kids that you are open to discuss their worries and difficulties. Communicate frequently, freely, and honestly.
- Make available facilities for students to relax, such as silent areas and lounge chairs.
Vikas The Concept School is a center of excellence dedicated to molding students into future leaders. We provide concept-centered and comprehensive education using a developmental approach. Our educational atmosphere fosters order, independence, a love of learning, a link with the rest of the world, and a feeling of social responsibility. We at Vikas The Concept School encourage our students to discuss their queries related to any issues and we support and educate them in all perspectives.
At Vikas, we know the importance of mental health and have included Mental Health Awareness as a part of our curriculum. Schools may promote positive mental health by increasing self-confidence and self-esteem. And we know that by talking about mental health, we may create more compassion and understanding, which can boost help-seeking behavior. Do reach us for any info
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