Fluctuating Issues: Mental Health in the Classroom

Mental illness and mental health care need to be more prioritized in our society, especially among youth, starting with high schools. One of the main mental health issues we face in today’s youth is depression. There are many physical and social factors that may contribute to serious mental conditions like depression.

The school system works hand in hand in approaching and tackling the issue of mental health in youth, but are they REALLY helping? The Riley Review article titled ‘The Elasticity of Stress’ goes into more detail about the stress that school brings to youth and how it affects their mental health.

A greater focus should be on not only depression in youth, but also other forms of mental health issues in teens. There is no known cause of mental illness in youth, but researchers suggest that a combination of factors, including trauma, abuse, loneliness, experiencing discrimination of any kind, poverty, and stress, might be involved in causing mental illness.

Warning signs of mental illness in youth vary depending on the condition they’re experiencing. They may not even show signs of mental illness. To be more aware of the health of teens, we should know the known signs of mental illness, for example, decreased interest in activities, constant worrying, being on edge, and frequent fatigue. Now, these aren’t exact signs or even all, but they are the most common to look for in mental health.

Being an advocate for mental health and setting a good example, and creating a positive and supportive environment for youth with mental disorders can help them feel validated. This is why it is so important that the school systems do what they can to help their youth. An article from TheRileyReview.com explains mental health, especially in students, and how it isn’t talked about enough.

Many ways that the school system can help with mental health-based services would be by hiring school-based therapists or social workers who can provide mental health challenges and treatment options. The school system’s awareness of its mental diseases has led to more empathy and sensitivity towards those who struggle with mental illness.