It’s good for teachers and leaders to already have a top-down view of any students that may be experiencing mental health difficulties within the school. Whilst most schools and teachers will have a good insight into the individual backgrounds and circumstances of their students, looking particularly at any mental health issues and ensuring there is adequate support for them is the first place to start.
Having said that, many mental health issues go undetected from either a misdiagnosis or simply hesitance for students to come forward with any issues they may be having. As a result, its possible schools may not hear about a mental health disorder or crisis till further down the line.
Therefore, it’s more important than ever that teachers and school leaders learn the signs to know when a student is in trouble so that they can intervene before things become too serious.
2. CONSIDER HAVING SOME MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING
Though being a mental health expert is certainly not a prerequisite for teaching, the more teachers know about mental health in young people, the better.
As a teacher who knows and understands the basics of mental health, you’ll be better equipped to talk to students about how they may be feeling. You’ll also be able to use the right terminology and will know the different signs to watch out for.
You could request some basic mental health training for teachers through your school, or do a short qualification course online. There are also lots of information and resources online that you can study, without gaining a formal qualification.
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It’s important that all members of the school community know the signs and symptoms to look out for, so they can help those who may be struggling.
For students, this could mean having posters around the school that serve as mental health check-in ‘reminders’, or teaching a lesson on mental health (more about this below).
For parents, you may wish to hold a mental health evening where they can attend, ask questions, and become aware of how mental health is being supported within the school.
The more everybody knows what to watch out for, the less chance that anybody will have to suffer in silence.
4. HAVE A PLACE STUDENTS CAN GO TO TALK AND A STRONG OPEN-DOOR POLICY
Having a strong open-door policy means that students feel comfortable and safe about going to any member of staff about a problem. Even if teachers are not especially mental health-trained, having an open willingness to listen and making sure students know about this will go a long way.
However, every school should also have a designated ‘safe space’ where students know they can go to talk. Ideally this will involve at least one trained professional, but it could also have voluntary student counsellors on hand to help.
Teachers should also be aware of when it’s time to escalate a situation by referring a student to the school’s help centre, or even to a local mental health team. Most of the time this may seem like common sense, but it’s also something that can be better learned through basic mental health training, as mentioned earlier.
5. CREATE A SAFE, POSITIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Part of reinforcing an open-door policy is to create a safe, positive overall school environment. This applies not just to students feeling supported with mental health issues, but to their overall learning and well-being as well.
Most schools will likely have procedures already in place to achieve this, but think about it from a mental health perspective. Is there anything that can be done to improve the learning environment and ensure it is an atmosphere of safety. comfort and community?
All too often, this starts with how students speak to and treat one another, and the disciplinary structures in place for when students go against the code of communication.
Recognise when students make positive decisions, such as helping out a classmate, showing compassion or studying hard for a test. By rewarding acts of kindness and understanding, teachers can help create an atmosphere of positivity and support.
6. ENCOURAGE GOOD PHYSICAL HEALTH.
Teach students about the importance of physical health, and how physical and mental health go hand in hand. Most schools will likely integrate physical health education into the curriculum already, but dedicated lessons or workshops on healthy eating, physical exercise and managing stress will all help to strengthen a positive body-mind relationship in your students.
Remember to always explain the mental benefits of exercise and healthy eating too.
7. ENCOURAGE SOCIAL TIME
Social time is incredibly important for students to function properly; to focus on something other than school work and exams, and to bond and make friends.
Each week, try scheduling in 30 minutes or so where students can be social and focus on something other than the curriculum. This can be in addition to regular break times, and could be encouraging them to chat with their peers about an everyday topic, current events, or complete a task together, like a difficult problem or a challenge.
8. RUN LUNCHTIME CLUBS FOR ACTIVITIES
Lunchtime (and after-school) clubs are incredibly important as they can help provide a sense of community and belonging to students who may otherwise struggle elsewhere.
These clubs could be for any activity – arts and crafts, baking, drama clubs, book clubs, film clubs, sports, dance, or even discussion/debate clubs. The main thing is that students are made to feel included and can do something they enjoy with like-minded people.
9. MAKE MENTAL HEALTH PART OF THE CURRICULUM
Mental health is still seen as a bit of a taboo subject and many people feel embarrassed to talk about it – particularly at school. To overcome this, its essential that mental health is made a priority in your school and integrated into the curriculum wherever possible.
You could introduce the topic of mental health through teaching a lesson or workshop on it, or even during school assemblies. Discuss it elsewhere too, like in PHSCE lessons, Health & Social Care and even when studying literacy characters in English class. Celebrate
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