Prioritising Mental Health Education in Every Classroom
Schools have a tremendous opportunity to nurture student wellbeing alongside academic success. While students are naturally driven to excel, the current environment can be intense with exams, extracurriculars, and social pressures all vying for attention. By incorporating mental health education and well-being practices into the school experience, we can equip students with the tools they need to thrive in all aspects of life.
Some strong cases why mental health education in schools matters
Academic Performance and Mental Health: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Many studies [1] have shown a strong positive correlation between mental well-being and academic success. A student’s mental state significantly impacts their ability to engage in learning, retain information, and actively participate in class [2]. Research suggests that positive mental health fosters optimal learning environments, enabling students to approach studies with clarity, focus, and resilience [3]. For instance, confident, motivated, and emotionally balanced students are more likely to actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and collaborate effectively with their peers. Conversely, students struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression may experience difficulties with concentration and information processing.
Reduce Stigma
By incorporating a mental well-being curriculum in schools, especially at a young age, we can proactively address mental health stigma. Exposing students to accurate information from a young age helps dispel misconceptions and stereotypes. When mental health is no longer stigmatised, conversations about it become normalised among students, encouraging them to seek help without the fear of judgement or discrimination. Programs like “It’s Okay to Reach Out” demonstrate the power of open discussions about mental health. These programs have not only been shown to destigmatise mental health issues, but also to positively transform school cultures.
Social and emotional Learning (SEL)
A mental well-being curriculum can also cultivate positive interpersonal relationships by promoting empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills. Consider the story of Aidan, a high school student who, through a school-based mental health program, recognized his symptoms of depression, sought help, and got treated. This allowed him to enjoy meaningful friendships and socialising again. Aidan’s story isn’t unique but a testament to how early education on mental health can benefit a child’s social and emotional well-being. By normalising mental health issues from a young age, we empower students like Aidan to understand and articulate their experiences, leading to early intervention and prevention of more
Social Level Up students and staff Emotional IQ: and emotional Learning (SEL)
Imagine being able to understand your emotions, from the joyful highs to the frustrating lows and everything in between. A mental health curriculum equips students and staff with the essential vocabulary (creating a common language) to express themselves clearly and navigate the emotional rollercoaster of life.
How to get started in schools : Possible building blocks
Lay the groundwork:
The best way to bring mental health education to your school is to – listen first! Surveys for students, parents, and teachers can help identify what’s lacking. A team with students, parents, and teachers can help schools develop a program or have new measures in place to support mental health, such as anti-bullying policies and programs focused on students’ well-being.
Understanding current gaps in existing curriculum
The current curriculum in schools revolves mainly around lectures and textbooks. These, while informative, can sometimes lack engagement. Furthermore, some mental health education in schools may only have a limited scope. Existing mental health education may primarily focus on raising awareness about common mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. This neglects other important aspects of mental health, such as emotional regulation, resilience-building and stress management.
Curriculum Design
Develop curriculum modules tailored to different age groups: For example
- Elementary: Identifying emotions
- Middle School: Building coping mechanisms
- High School: Developing healthy relationships
Each module builds upon the previous one, yet is designed to stand alone. This allows students to engage at any entry point and still gain a comprehensive learning experience. This type of progressive curriculum fosters consistent learning and cultivates a habit and culture of prioritising mental wellness early in students’ lives. For example, an elementary school might integrate “Wellness Fridays” into the weekly schedule. On Fridays, students explore an emotion (e.g., happiness) through a short story, then engage in related activities like drawing a happy scene or creating a “happy jar” filled with positive affirmations. Meanwhile, in a middle school science class, students could study the brain and nervous system, alongside discussions on how stress affects the body.
Activities-based content for deeper learning
To invigorate learning, many educators are moving beyond traditional methods by introducing activities such as games, projects, role-playing scenarios and open discussions. For example, in the mental well-being curriculum, educators can incorporate a “Mental Health Bingo”. As students learn about each topic, they mark it off their card. The first student to get bingo wins a prize. By turning learning into a game as such, students become more motivated to engage with the content.
To further enhance interaction through activity-based content in mental wellbeing curriculum, we can also tap on the utilisation of technology. This can include educational apps, videos, and online resources which can further enrich classroom learning with dynamic content. For example, a school can utilise a mood tracker app to monitor students’ emotions and identify patterns. This can lead to discussions about healthy coping mechanisms tailored to each individual’s needs.
Equipping educators for success
Prior to implementing a mental health curriculum, educators and school staff can also participate in workshops led by mental health professionals. These sessions equip staff with the knowledge and skills to approach the topic of mental health with sensitivity and effectiveness. For example, staff learn to recognise signs of mental distress in students and respond appropriately. At the same time, workshops also address educators’ well-being, equipping them with strategies to manage their own mental health, embodying the concept of “leading by example.”
Evaluation and Improvement: A Continuous Process
To evaluate the curriculum’s effectiveness, student progress is monitored using surveys, focus groups, or assessments. Feedback is gathered from students, teachers, and parents to pinpoint areas for enhancement and tailor the program for future use. For example, after a semester-long program that incorporated relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises, a school survey might reveal a decrease in reported stress levels and an increase in student use of these techniques. Leveraging such positive results, the program can be broadened to incorporate more advanced wellness practices.
Call to action
Mental health education does not merely address current student well-being. It equips our future generations to contribute to a society that is both healthier and more emotionally intelligent. Consider the ripple effect of a single school implementing a comprehensive mental health curriculum—thousands of students enter adulthood with a better understanding of mental health, affecting workplaces, families, and communities.
We are hereby inviting all schools to take part in and collaborate with what we are developing – a comprehensive solution. Our innovative mental well-being curriculum offers a tailored and effective solution to bridge these gaps. By adopting our curriculum, schools can provide students with access to evidence-based mental health resources, tools to develop essential coping skills, foster resilience and promote positive mental health habits.
Our user-friendly platform empowers educators and counsellors to deliver engaging and impactful mental health education, while also offering flexibility to adapt to the unique needs and preferences of students. We emphasise on being interactive, with features such as gamification, online journaling, video and audio-based learning, discussion boards and many more.
Together, let’s take proactive steps towards prioritising mental health education by adopting our curriculum.
References:
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24771270/
[2] Shankar, N.L. and Park, C.L. (2016) ‘Effects of stress on students’ physical and mental health and academic success’, International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 4(1), pp. 5–9. doi:10.1080/21683603.2016.1130532.
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032716324545
[4]https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(14)70312-8/fulltext
Rahul Vijayan
Co-Founder & Chief Operations Officer, Zoala
About the author Rahul:
Rahul Vijayan is the Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer at Zoala, where he leads the development of innovative mental health solutions for adolescents. With a diverse background in technology, product management, and tech sales, Rahul excels in shaping product vision and strategy to deliver user-centric solutions. His expertise in leveraging AI and data to enhance mental well-being aligns perfectly with Zoala’s mission to provide impactful and scalable support for young people.
