In recent years, the emphasis on Mental Health has widened. Mental health doesn’t always follow a steady upward trajectory. It has its peaks and lows. Children may not be able to articulate their feelings as accurately as adults. An upset mind will interfere with the child’s everyday activities, academics, and personal life. Poor mental health isn’t solely attributable to a diagnosed disorder. Other factors like confidence and self-esteem can also affect a child’s mood.
As parents, encourage your child to express. Convey that it is ok and safe to share their feelings and thoughts. Listen to your child without judging and making assumptions. The trust that builds through the process means a mountain of support to your child. As teachers, observing the students’ behaviour, documenting any change in their behaviours, maintaining confidentiality, creating a positive environment in the classroom, and educating them brings awareness.
The Schools in India have diverse cultures and aid in your child’s overall development. Mental Health Days should not be constrained to just one day of the year. It needs to be addressed at regular intervals to ensure constant nurture and care of the students. The mind requires the same kind of attention given to a physical illness.
Research shows childhood experiences have a significant impact on our personality and decision-making as adults. Hence, a healthy upbringing of the child is of utmost importance.
How can you help Students in Aiding a Healthy Mind?
As children spend most of their time in school, it is important to cater to their mental wellness. A school should have a professional whom the students can reach out to, talk to, and converse about their concerns without any inhibition. So the counselor can closely work with the student while parallely the teacher can monitor the student’s well-being.
Avoid calling out the student amongst their classmates. As a teacher, any concern with the student is advised to be dealt with in person. Complimenting in the classroom and discussing the troubles one-on-one goes a long way.
Activities bring out the best in students and help them channel their emotions and energy on the right path. Hobbies and games help the students discover and rediscover themselves. This habit helps them have a clear mindset, transparency, awareness, and a better understanding of themselves and their environment.
Journaling is another beautiful way of expressing thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This could be through art or writing. At times, expression through art brings out thoughts that could otherwise be challenging. And some students conveniently verbalize. Each to their comfort. To empower them to face their fears and to lend a hand to grow through inhibitions is sowing seeds of promising tomorrows.
Having conversations, conducting grade-appropriate workshops, and inviting professionals to interact with the students can be other ways to help students with mental well-being. Having one-on-one conversations with students in an informal environment builds trust, either way, leading to an honest chat.
Parents play a vital role in shaping the mind of the child. Asking about their day, what new they learned, and making them feel safe to talk their mind enhances the bonding and the strength of the parent-child relationship.
Positives of Mental Health Days for Students
- Better Decision-Making Skills
- Promotes Self-Awareness
- Improves Self-Esteem and Boost Self-Confidence
- Control over Emotional Regulation
- Self-Reflection and Self-Care
- Improves Academic Performance
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety
- Emotional and Physical Well-Being
In conclusion, incorporating mental health days into the school calendar is an essential step towards fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for students. Such days provide much-needed respite, allowing students to prioritize their mental well-being and recharge. By recognizing the importance of mental health, schools can help reduce stress, improve academic performance, and promote overall happiness among students. Emphasizing mental health days not only addresses the immediate needs of students but also equips them with the skills to manage stress and maintain mental wellness throughout their lives. Investing in mental health is an investment in a brighter, healthier future for our students.
Reach out to Edustoke to enroll your child in the Best of Schools that focus on the overall development of students, for their better tomorrows.