The goal of Mind Over Matter concerns the psychological affects of school environments that affect students' mental health.
Risk factors are traits or conditions at the biological, psychological, family, community, or cultural levels that increase the likelihood of experiencing negative outcomes.
Risk Factors
Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem is defined by having a negative perception of yourself. It can make you doubt your abilities, your self worth, decrease your confidence, and fear failure. This can affect how you interact with others and impact your relationships with them.
Lack of Social Support
When students feel disconnected from peers, teachers, or family whether due to interactions or difficulty forming deep relationships, they may lack the emotional safety net needed to cope with stress. Isolation can amplify feelings of loneliness and hopelessness, and can also make them feel unsupported.
Discrimination
Being targeted, excluded, or invalidated because of identity, such as race, gender, and disability ultimately harms self-worth and belonging. This is worsened when schools fail to address harassment or bias, leaving students feeling unsafe.
Peer Conflicts
Social media amplifies drama, turning minor disagreements into public feuds. This creates a toxic environment where students feel constantly judged or threatened, making it hard to focus on learning or relationships.
Protective factors are conditions or attributes in individuals, families, communities, or the larger society that lessen or eliminate risks, and increase the health and well-being of individuals and families.
Protective Factors
Inclusivity
Schools that actively celebrate diversity through policies and clubs help students feel seen and valued. This combats discrimination by fostering a culture where everyone belongs, reducing stigma and isolation.
Peer Support
When students have friends or mentors who listen without judgment, they’re less likely to feel alone. Peer networks such as buddy systems and support groups help build resilience by reminding students they’re not facing challenges alone.
Safe Spaces
Designated areas where students can share openly like counseling offices or clubs provide refuge from judgment. These spaces encourages seeking help and allows students to process emotions without shame.
How We Chose Our Risk and Protective Factors
In our project on creating a safe school environment for mental health, we carefully selected our risk factors—discrimination, peer conflict, low self-esteem, and lack of social support—based on how digital technology, particularly social media, impacts these issues. As highlighted in the U.S. Surgeon General's advisory, technology can significantly influence young people's mental health, with social media contributing to feelings of isolation, bullying, and comparison that directly correlate with the risk factors we've chosen.
The increase in social media use has made it easier for discrimination and peer conflict to escalate, especially among teenagers. Online platforms often magnify these issues through bullying, harmful content, and exclusionary behavior, all of which can lead to feelings of low self-esteem. The constant comparison to others, amplified by images and posts, can make teens feel inadequate, contributing to mental health challenges. Additionally, the lack of face-to-face interaction through these platforms can result in a lack of genuine social support, leaving many students feeling isolated and vulnerable. As we discussed these risk factors with our climate officer, who is responsible for managing peer conflicts in our school, it became clear that these challenges were not isolated but interconnected. The climate officer highlighted how social media can intensify peer conflicts, making it more difficult to resolve issues effectively. This conversation reinforced our understanding of the importance of addressing these risk factors in the context of both the digital and physical school environment.
In response to these risks, we selected our protective factors—safe spaces, inclusivity, and peer support—to counteract the negative impacts of technology. Safe spaces provide students with an opportunity to share their feelings and experiences in an environment where they feel accepted and understood, reducing the impact of discrimination and isolation. Inclusivity promotes acceptance and understanding, which can help combat the exclusionary behaviors often seen online. Peer support acts as a critical buffer, offering emotional and social support that helps students navigate challenges related to self-esteem and peer conflict, both online and in-person. By integrating these protective factors, we aim to create a more supportive environment that minimizes the risks associated with technology and fosters mental health and well-being among students.