Children who have positive mental wellness are more successful in school and life, according to National Association of School Psychologists. Most children attend school for six hours a day, making schools an ideal place to provide mental health services to children and youth. In fact, research has shown that students are more likely to seek counseling when services are available in schools.
Research also demonstrates that students who receive social–emotional and mental health support achieve better academically. School climate, classroom behavior, on-task learning and students’ sense of connectedness and well-being all improve as well. Mental wellness is not simply the absence of mental illness but also encompasses social, emotional, behavioral and physical health and the ability to cope with life’s challenges.
If left unmet, mental health problems are linked to costly negative outcomes such as academic and behavior problems, dropping out and delinquency. The mind and body connection are increasingly important to a person’s well-being. Poor mental health can negatively impact physical health, leading to an increased risk of some conditions. Similarly, poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Any person regardless of gender, age, health status and income, can be affected by mental health conditions.
In this section school administrators will find information about:
- common behavioral signs to look for in students who might have mental health illness,
- tips on ways to communicate concerns with parents,
- free courses to assist with bullying prevention
- and best mental health self-care practices for both students and teachers.