Mental Health

What is Mental Health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well being. It affects how we act, think and feel and it helps determine how we deal with stress. Mental health is one of the most important stage in life that everyone goes through, and will look different for everyone. Mental health can change and vary with biological factors. Life experiences, and family history with mental problems. Mental health also includes issues that can impact someones everyday life and alter how they think.

1 in 4 are affected by mental illness. 8.6 million adults have suicidal thoughts. 1 in 30 experience PTSD. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death. Children with anxiety disorders are least likely to receive treatment. People of color have less care to access to care.

Understanding Mental Illness

Mental illness is like a disorder of the brain. One in four adults experience mental illness in a given year, and this includes depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD. Mental health has many causes, and varies from genetics and other biological, environmental and social/cultural factors as well as parental guidance. Mental illnesses are no ones fault. Mental illnesses are usually treatable through medication and psychological therapies.

Statistics of Youth Mental Disorders

Rates of Mental Disorders by Age

Diagnoses of depression and anxiety are more common with increased age. Behavior problems are more common among children aged 6–11 years than children younger or older.

Depression affects about 20 % of all adolescents by the time they become adults

Mental Health Justice

The Barriers that prevent Youth from getting the help they need

Young people perceive a number of barriers to help seek for mental health problems. These problems include stigma and embarrassment, problems recognizing symptoms and self reliance. The lack on knowledge that Youth have about mental health services can also be perceived as a barrier for help seeking. Many young people report that they were fearful about the act of seeking help.

Children with mental health issues often have the odds of success stacked against them. Often these ailments negatively affect their ability to learn, or at least their ability to learn at the same pace or in the same way as most of the other students in their classes.

These mental health ailments can cause them to feel uncomfortable in classroom settings, discouraging them from speaking up or participating, and even causing them to have a harder time building relationships with others.

Do schools provide enough help?

The mental health of 5 million kids is neglected on a daily basis. According to a blog about Mental Help in schools on Providence, roughly 50 million children in public schools are showing signs of mental health disorders. A vast majority aren't receiving enough or any help from the schools in the form of therapy or counseling.

The mental health crisis in our schools is a result of a lack of education on the matter, and a lack of resources to properly mitigate it. Teachers, who are the most hands-on with these students the majority of the time, aren't trained in mental health. And on top of that, they have 25+ other students in that class and dozens of other responsibilities on their plate. They are not equipped with the time, resources, or training necessary to give students with signs of mental health issues the unique attention they deserve. Moreover, mental health education is seldom part of the student’s curriculum, even though parents recognize the importance of the subject.

Teachers are most likely to recognize the symptoms and signs, but they do not have the time or education to properly approach the situation.

What can Educators in schools do?

Well for Educators, you can support the mental health of all of your students in your classroom and school, not just individual students that exhibit behavioral issues. Make sure to..

Educate Staff, parents, and students on symptoms of and help for mental health problems
Promote social and emotional relationships
Help ensure a positive, safe environment
Teach and reinforce positive behaviors and decision making
Encourage helping others
Encourage good physical health
Help ensure access to school-based mental health supports

10 Things you can do for your own Mental Health

Value Yourself.

Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Make time for your hobbies and favorite projects, or broaden your horizons.

Take care of your body

Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health.

Surround yourself with good people

People with strong family or social connections are generally healthier than those who lack a support network. Make plans with supportive family members and friends, or seek out activities where you can meet new people, such as a club, class or support group.

Give yourself

Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You'll feel good about doing something tangible to help someone in need, and it's a great way to meet new people.

Learn how to deal with stress

Like it or not, stress is a part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try One-Minute Stress Strategies, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reducer.

Quiet your mind.

Try meditating, Mindfulness and/or prayer. Relaxation exercises and prayer can improve your state of mind and outlook on life.

Set realistic goals

Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally and personally and write down the steps you need to realize your goals.

Break up the monotony

Although our routines make us more efficient and enhance our feelings of security and safety, a little change of pace can perk up a tedious schedule.

Avoid alcohol and other drugs

Keep alcohol use to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs to "self-medicate" but in reality, alcohol and other drugs only aggravate problems.