Learners today face numerous demands, from academics and extracurricular activities to maintaining social connections and keeping up with trends. These various aspects of their lives significantly impact their well-being, affecting both their mental and physical health. Therefore, fostering conversations around mental health, especially in schools, is crucial.
Children spend a large portion of their day at school, making it essential for these environments to be spaces where they can truly be themselves. Schools should offer a supportive atmosphere that allows learners to explore their strengths while recognizing the challenges they face. By providing this kind of environment, schools enable learners to better understand who they are and what holds them back.
At Inventure, we prioritise giving learners age-appropriate tools to understand themselves. We create a judgement-free space where they can express themselves freely. This enables them to build their confidence and self-esteem, making them more resilient in the face of challenges.
However, the journey of self-discovery can be filled with ups and downs. Struggling to navigate these challenges can lead to mental health concerns. By prioritising mental health in schools and equipping students with the necessary tools, we can empower them to thrive both academically and personally.
This article emphasises the importance of mental wellness for students and offers insights into how they can cope with everyday life challenges.
Common triggers of stress among learners
Stress arises when we encounter challenges that seem overwhelming or unmanageable. While academic pressures are a well-known stressor, it’s important to recognise that our personal experiences and environments also play a significant role. Stress can stem from a variety of factors, some of which are highlighted here –
- Coping with Academic Pressure: Deadlines, heavy workloads, and the drive to meet high expectations can contribute significantly to stress. The pressure to excel academically can feel overwhelming.
- Time Management: Balancing multiple deadlines, prioritising tasks, and managing time effectively are crucial skills, and not having these skills can lead to increased stress.
- Peer Relationships: Building and maintaining friendships can be a source of emotional stress. Challenges in making friends, fitting into social groups, or dealing with interpersonal conflicts can impact emotional well-being.
- Family Dynamics: Ongoing family conflicts or issues at home can distract students and affect their ability to focus and perform well in academic settings.
- Uncertainty About the Future: Uncertainty regarding academic outcomes, career paths, or future prospects can be a major source of stress, as not knowing what lies ahead can create anxiety.
- Social Media: The pressure to project a certain image or live up to the ideals presented online can impact self-esteem and contribute to stress, as social media often influences our perceptions of identity, success and the life that we are supposed to live.
- Personal Expectations: Setting high standards for oneself, whether in academic performance, social circles, or personal achievements, can lead to stress when those expectations are not met. The gap between personal goals and reality can cause overthinking and psychological stress.
Understanding these triggers can help in developing strategies. However, we have to be able to recognize the signs of distress whether in ourselves or in those around us.
Signs of mental health challenges
We all want to support our friends when they’re facing difficult times. However, it can often be challenging to recognize the signs that someone is in need of help. People may not always openly express their struggles, making it essential to be attentive to subtle cues in their behaviour. Here are a few key indicators to watch for that may suggest someone around you is not doing well:
- Feeling down most of the time, even when things are going well
- Rapid changes in mood, such as going from euphoria to deep sadness within a short period of time
- Avoiding or giving up friends, family, or previously enjoyed activities
- Frequent outbursts of anger or irritability, especially over minor issues
- Struggling to focus, remember things, or make decisions
- Feelings of inadequacy, guilt, or self-blame
- Struggling to handle daily responsibilities such as personal hygiene or schoolwork
- Becoming easily overwhelmed or having difficulty managing stress that previously felt manageable
- Eating or sleeping excessively or not at all
- Coping through alternative ways by overly indulging in things like playing excessively (either sports or video games), scrolling constantly, or reaching for substances like nicotine, alcohol, etc to cope.
- Lastly, watch out for signs of self-harm or thoughts about it – which is an immediate indicator that thing are not okay
Support Systems and Resources (Online/ Offline) Available/ School-Based Mental Health Programs
Support systems and resources, both online and offline, are vital for fostering student well-being and success. They play a crucial role in addressing emotional and academic challenges by providing access to counselling, specialised services, and skill-building programs.
These resources help in early intervention and prevention, ensuring that issues are addressed before they escalate. Additionally, they enhance social skills and strengthen relationships, contributing to a supportive and inclusive school environment.
By ensuring accessibility and tailored support, these systems play a key role in helping students thrive both academically and personally.
- Enhanced Emotional Well-Being: Access to support systems like school counsellors helps students manage stress and emotional challenges. By being aware of the stigma attached to counselling and seeking help from a counsellor at Inventure we have peer counsellors who have been trained to help their peers engage in a conversation with the people they are comfortable and feel safe with. This tailored support leads to improved emotional well-being, better focus, and a more positive school experience.
- Early Intervention and Prevention: The Wellbeing team at Inventure strongly believes that identifying and addressing issues early through constant check-ins with teachers, parents and our learners and counselling ensures timely intervention and prevents the concerns from snowballing. This proactive approach reduces long-term emotional and psychological challenges, promoting healthier developmental trajectories for students.
- Strengthened Social Skills and Relationships: Programs like Peer Counselling and RP student champions develop essential social skills such as empathy and communication. These skills foster a positive school climate and enable students to build supportive and respectful relationships with peers and adults.
Encouraging Mental Health Awareness in Schools
At Inventure, we make sure that learners have age-appropriate tools to understand themselves. We have circle times, and awareness sessions when children are encouraged to speak their mind. The wellbeing period gives them a dedicated time and space where they can highlight their struggles and celebrate their victories. We use a preventive approach rather than wait for concerns to arise and then solve it.
- Promote Open Dialogue and Reduce Stigma: Creating a school culture that encourages open conversations about mental health is crucial for breaking down barriers and reducing stigma. Our learners are encouraged to participate in open dialogue through our listening circles and Relational and Restorative circles (RP circles). When students feel safe discussing their emotional challenges, they are more likely to seek help and express their feelings without fear of judgement.
- Engage Parents and Community: To further enhance this supportive environment, it’s essential to engage parents and the broader community through initiatives such as Parent Awareness Sessions and Student Life-skills Sessions. These programs educate families about mental health and equip them with tools to support their children effectively. Additionally, Parent Connects foster better communication between families and schools, creating a cohesive support network. This collaborative approach ensures that students receive consistent encouragement and resources, reinforcing the importance of mental well-being in all areas of their lives.
Building a Culture of Emotional Wellness
Fostering a culture of emotional wellness in schools resembles growing a garden more than constructing a building. While a school building is a tangible, enduring structure, a well-being culture requires ongoing care and adaptability to flourish. It is not enough to implement static programs; nurturing a supportive environment demands continuous development and attention.
To build this culture, we implement Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs such as Valuethon that highlight the importance of Inventure’s core values. Creating an inclusive environment where students feel safe to express their emotions is crucial, as is the continuous training of staff to stay informed about best practices.
Ultimately, fostering a well-being culture involves a dynamic, responsive approach that grows and evolves over time, requiring a consistent commitment to care and nurture.
Practical ways of reducing mental stress
Mental health has a huge impact on our overall well-being as it influences emotional regulation, physical health, and our capacity to give our best at school. Good mental health fosters resilience, self-esteem, and personal growth, while also preventing or mitigating mental health disorders. Here are some ways in which you can look after your mental health-
Managing academic stress
- Set Realistic Goals: Establish clear, attainable academic goals and focus on progress rather than perfection. Align these goals with your abilities and circumstances. Avoid setting unattainably high standards for yourself.
- Use the Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused intervals (e.g., 25 minutes) followed by short breaks. This method can help improve concentration and productivity.
- Set Boundaries: Allocate specific times for study and leisure to manage time better.
Working with peers
- Communicate openly: Address any issues or conflicts directly and calmly with friends. Honest communication can often resolve misunderstandings and strengthen relationships.
- Be open to new social opportunities: Engage in activities or join clubs where you can meet new people and form connections naturally.
- Building your support system: Build a network of friends or mentors who can offer support and advice when family issues become overwhelming
Managing uncertainty and maintaining a positive mindset
- Explore career options: Research and explore various career paths or academic interests to gain clarity and reduce anxiety about your future.
- Curate your feed: Follow accounts that positively influence you and unfollow or mute those that cause stress or negative feelings.
- Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself when you don’t meet your expectations. Recognize that everyone has limitations and setbacks.
- Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, to maintain motivation and self-esteem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding mental wellness in schools is vital for helping students succeed both academically and personally. Recognizing the sources of stress and the signs of mental health challenges is crucial for providing effective support.
At Inventure Academy, we focus on creating a welcoming environment that encourages students to talk openly about mental health. Through circle times, wellbeing periods, awareness sessions for parents and learners, we foster a culture of emotional well-being.
By prioritising mental health and providing ongoing support, we can help students become resilient and ready to face life’s challenges. Together, we can ensure that all students not only thrive academically but also develop the skills they need for a healthy, fulfilling future.
Yeshwanthpur