Understanding

Mental Health in Schools

What is Mental Health??

Mental health refers to the maintenance of successful mental activity

What is Mental Health??

This includes maintaining productive daily activities and maintaining fulfilling relationships with others

What is Mental Health??

It also includes maintaining the abilities to adapt to change and to cope with stresses

Today we know that

Mental Disordersare

Brain Disorders

Therefore, Mental illness can occur when the brain (or part of the brain) is not working well or

is working in the wrong way.

Many of the mental disorders begin at the exact time that youth are in or entering Jr.

High, High School or University

What impact do you think this has on students?

Mental health problems may lead to:

• School drop outs• Difficulties in learning• Behavioural difficulties• Difficulties in performance• More truancy• School failure

So schools can be a great location for mental health promotion, early identification and intervention.

What is needed to create mental health integration in schools??

Surprisingly little

We need policies and plan that recognize integration of mental health into educational institutions

What is needed to create mental health integration in schools??

We need to develop and implement mental health curriculums

What is needed to create mental health integration in schools??

We need to train teachers to understand and recognize mental health problems in students

What is needed to create mental health integration in schools??

We need to develop region-specific infrastructure and supports

What is needed to create mental health integration in schools??

In addition, mental health needs of teachers may be similar to those faced by students

“On-site” mental health models can also provide teacher support

After all, a more effective teacher, means more effective teaching, and more effective learners

Schools are also great locations for combating stigma associated with mental illness

Stigma is the polite word for discrimination

It pervades our entire social structure

Integrating mental health education in schools may help destigmatize mental illness

Our model to address mental health in schools

- Blue circles represent key groups/stakeholders - Yellow boxes represent mental health programs

- Black arrows represent student flow

Education and Mental Health are part of the basic human rights of children and youth

And “Education for All” requires attention to mental health as a learning enabler

Teenmentalhealth.org

- School Mental Health Models

- Mental Health Curriculum

- Teacher Training Resources

- Transition to University Book

- Multimedia Presentations

- Mental Health Library