High school is a pivotal time in a young person’s development. It is important for each school to foster a safe and healthy environment to improve student’s mental health. Here are a few additional measures that schools can take to foster the mental health of high school students.
Combat Bullying
Bullying does not always go away when children get older, and constant tormenting can have serious negative effects on teenagers’ mental and emotional well-being. Teachers who see students being bullied should put a stop to it by involving themselves in the situation immediately. The students who are bullying should be warned that their parents or legal guardians will be contacted if any future incidents occur. Educators may also need to suspend students and take other disciplinary actions. Other students should be encouraged to get involved to stop school bullying.
Provide Mental Health Education
Simply providing classroom education on mental health concerns is another great way to improve students’ state of mind. This will help students feel more comfortable about mental health topics they may encounter in their own lives. According to the American Federation of Teachers, stigmas that are associated with mental health problems can be erased through education. Classroom topics can include information on certain psychological disorders that commonly affect teens. Students can also learn how to identify signs of mental health problems so that they can help others who are in need.
Have Students Meet with a Counselor
Meeting with a school counselor at least once a year will give students the opportunity to learn more about mental health topics and discuss any concerns they may have. The counselor will be able to provide resources that can be used to seek help whenever it is needed. Schools are great opportunity for those seeking masters in counseling jobs as such persons are considered to be qualified professionals and would benefit students immensely. They should have excellent listening skills and they can also give students health surveys and keep track of data so that the school administrators can know the overall health status of the school and take any necessary initiatives to improve it.
Communicate with Parents
School faculty should work closely with parents to make sure that their children are getting the support they need. Teachers can notify parents if there are any concerns that may affect their son’s or daughter’s mental health. Any behaviors or thoughts that are expressed to school faculty that seem particularly troubling should be brought to parents’ attention right away. It may be further beneficial to arrange in-person parent-teacher conferences to discuss any concerns. Both the school and the parents can work to create an environment where students feel safe and like their voices are being heard.
Students in high school can learn to cope with any mental health issues with the right tools and support. Schools that invest the additional time and effort to nurture students’ mental health will likely yield great results.
