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Why is mental health important for students, and how does it affect academic performance? Share your thoughts on why schools should prioritize mental well-being.

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Why is mental health important for students, and how does it affect academic performance? Share your thoughts on why schools should prioritize mental well-being.

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Write a brief reflection on why mental health is crucial for student success. You can also include any personal experiences or observations you've had regarding how mental health issues impact your classmates or yourself.

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Human beings have a mind-body connection. This means our mental, physical, and social health affect each other. For students, mental health is important because it impacts how they learn and participate in school.

Mental health affects students':

Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics and two other child health institutions joined in declaring that child and adolescent mental health is a national emergency. This means understanding student mental health is more critical than ever.

This blog post will explore the important connection between school and student mental health. We will focus on the following factors:

What is Mental Health?

Mental health includes our emotional, social, and psychological well-being. It affects how we think and act and how we interact with others.

The benefits of good mental health in students include:

Why is Mental Health Important for Students?

1. Student Academic Achievement

A student's mental health affects their academic performance. Students with good mental health are prepared to learn. They tend to have higher self-esteem and be motivated to achieve educational goals.

A student struggling with their mental health or diagnosed with a mental health disorder may have trouble paying attention, remembering, and problem-solving. They may also have trouble meeting classroom expectations.

When students are disruptive, uninterested, or defiant, school staff disciplines them. Exclusionary punishments like suspensions and expulsions have a negative impact on academic achievement. Students can't learn and participate if they are excluded from school.

Mental health also affects a student's attendance and even graduation rates. Connecting students to mental health services helps them stay in school.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, "fifty percent of mental illness begins by age 14, and three-quarters begins by age 24."

For most people who develop a mental health disorder, symptoms start while they are still in school. The sooner a mental health concern is found and treated, the better. Left untreated, mental health disorders will get worse. They can last throughout a student's school years and into adulthood.

Parents, teachers, and school administration can change a student's life trajectory by recognizing when someone needs help and connecting them with support.

3. Meeting Student Mental Health Needs

Some student populations have greater mental health needs than others.

These students may:

Schools can deliver mental health services or resources to students who need them most. This helps students stay in school and stay engaged in learning.

Student Populations with the Greatest Mental Health Needs

Non-white students, students with public insurance, and students from low-income households are less likely to access private or independent mental health services. These students must rely on their schools for mental health services. Compare this list to the list above. You can see that there is a crossover between students who need mental health services the most and students who have the fewest options for services.

It is important to remember that a student's environment affects their mental health. Supportive school environments help students thrive. When students need help with their mental health but don't receive support, their mental health gets worse.

4. Mental Health Awareness and Education

One way that schools can help students is with mental health education. Quality mental health education for students includes:

How to support student mental health

How to recognize mental health symptoms and warning signs

How and where to get help

Life skills education programs are also a chance for educators to combat mental health myths and reduce mental health stigma.

How to Support Mental Health

The following are ways that students can care for their mental health:

Common Mental Health Myths

Mental health education can overcome common myths such as:

Children don't have mental health disorders.

Mental illness is a choice.

Medication doesn't help mental disorders.

All these myths are false. Misinformation about mental health is dangerous for students.

Getting Help with Mental Health
Your Own Mental Health
Students struggling with their mental health should talk to someone they trust. This could be a parent, teacher, or counselor. If the student feels unsafe or overwhelmed, they can contact a crisis hotline.

Guidance counselors at school are trained professionals to help with mental health. Here are ways you could start the conversation:
Supporting Someone Else
If you see someone else struggling with their mental health, the first thing to remember is you are not a counselor. You can offer support, but you also want to connect them with a professional.

You can listen to them, share resources, and remind them that you care. Also, remember that not everyone wants help. Respect a person's wishes if they do not want to talk about their situation.

Mental Health Resources

Untreated mental health disorders can have dangerous outcomes. These include self-harm, bullying, substance use, and suicide. Schools play a critical role in preventing these outcomes.

Through early detection, meeting mental health needs, education, and awareness, schools can help students have healthy, happy, and productive lives.

What is a Mental Health Disorder?

A mental health disorder, also known as a mental disorder or mental illness, is a diagnosable health condition. A mental health disorder changes how a person thinks, feels, or behaves, as well as causing distress and disruption in a person's life.

Mental health disorders can range from mild to severe. While there is no specific cause, mental health is affected by:

our biology (genes and brain chemistry),

our environment and experiences (home life, trauma, abuse), and

our lifestyle choices (nutrition, sleep, substance use).

Common Mental Health Disorders in Students

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one in six children in the United States experience a mental health disorder. In college-aged students (young adults 18-25 years old), that number jumps up to one in three.

According to the CDC, the most diagnosed mental health disorders in students are:

Warning Signs of Mental Health Disorders in Students

If a student is struggling with their mental health, there will be warning signs. Sometimes these are signs that the student needs help caring for their mental health. The warning signs could also be symptoms of a diagnosable mental health disorder.

The following are signs and symptoms of a student struggling with their mental health:

When these signs and symptoms disrupt how we function at home, school, work, or in our relationships, it is time to get professional help.

If left untreated, mental health disorders can lead to more serious problems, including:

Fortunately, schools can offer resources, referrals, and services to support student mental health.

Next Steps: Mental Health Education for Students

Mental health is important for students because it is part of overall well-being. Good mental health promotes a student's health, happiness, learning, and academic achievement. Through mental health education, schools can combat mental health stigma and common myths. Students can learn about improving their mental health, signs of mental health disorders, and where to go when they need help.

McMillen Health's educators would love to work with you and your students to promote mental health awareness. Using high-tech media rooms, our educators can reach classrooms anywhere with an internet connection.

Mental Health Programs Offered at McMillen Health

Alysia Marshall-Seslar

Alysia Marshall-Seslar is the Writing and Marketing Associate at McMillen Health. Along with being the author of TamTalks, Alysia contributes to the research and development of McMillen's custom health education curriculum.

Human beings have a mind-body connection. This means our mental, physical, and social health affect each other. For students, mental health is important because it impacts how they learn and participate in school.

Mental health affects students':

Last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics and two other child health institutions joined in declaring that child and adolescent mental health is a national emergency. This means understanding student mental health is more critical than ever.

This blog post will explore the important connection between school and student mental health. We will focus on the following factors:

What is Mental Health?

Mental health includes our emotional, social, and psychological well-being. It affects how we think and act and how we interact with others.

The benefits of good mental health in students include:

Why is Mental Health Important for Students?

1. Student Academic Achievement

A student's mental health affects their academic performance. Students with good mental health are prepared to learn. They tend to have higher self-esteem and be motivated to achieve educational goals.

A student struggling with their mental health or diagnosed with a mental health disorder may have trouble paying attention, remembering, and problem-solving. They may also have trouble meeting classroom expectations.

When students are disruptive, uninterested, or defiant, school staff disciplines them. Exclusionary punishments like suspensions and expulsions have a negative impact on academic achievement. Students can't learn and participate if they are excluded from school.

Mental health also affects a student's attendance and even graduation rates. Connecting students to mental health services helps them stay in school.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, "fifty percent of mental illness begins by age 14, and three-quarters begins by age 24."

For most people who develop a mental health disorder, symptoms start while they are still in school. The sooner a mental health concern is found and treated, the better. Left untreated, mental health disorders will get worse. They can last throughout a student's school years and into adulthood.

Parents, teachers, and school administration can change a student's life trajectory by recognizing when someone needs help and connecting them with support.

3. Meeting Student Mental Health Needs

Some student populations have greater mental health needs than others.

These students may:

Schools can deliver mental health services or resources to students who need them most. This helps students stay in school and stay engaged in learning.

Student Populations with the Greatest Mental Health Needs

Non-white students, students with public insurance, and students from low-income households are less likely to access private or independent mental health services. These students must rely on their schools for mental health services. Compare this list to the list above. You can see that there is a crossover between students who need mental health services the most and students who have the fewest options for services.

It is important to remember that a student's environment affects their mental health. Supportive school environments help students thrive. When students need help with their mental health but don't receive support, their mental health gets worse.

4. Mental Health Awareness and Education

One way that schools can help students is with mental health education. Quality mental health education for students includes:

How to support student mental health

How to recognize mental health symptoms and warning signs

How and where to get help

Life skills education programs are also a chance for educators to combat mental health myths and reduce mental health stigma.

How to Support Mental Health

The following are ways that students can care for their mental health:

Common Mental Health Myths

Mental health education can overcome common myths such as:

Children don't have mental health disorders.

Mental illness is a choice.

Medication doesn't help mental disorders.

All these myths are false. Misinformation about mental health is dangerous for students.

Getting Help with Mental Health
Your Own Mental Health
Students struggling with their mental health should talk to someone they trust. This could be a parent, teacher, or counselor. If the student feels unsafe or overwhelmed, they can contact a crisis hotline.

Guidance counselors at school are trained professionals to help with mental health. Here are ways you could start the conversation:
Supporting Someone Else
If you see someone else struggling with their mental health, the first thing to remember is you are not a counselor. You can offer support, but you also want to connect them with a professional.

You can listen to them, share resources, and remind them that you care. Also, remember that not everyone wants help. Respect a person's wishes if they do not want to talk about their situation.

Mental Health Resources

Untreated mental health disorders can have dangerous outcomes. These include self-harm, bullying, substance use, and suicide. Schools play a critical role in preventing these outcomes.

Through early detection, meeting mental health needs, education, and awareness, schools can help students have healthy, happy, and productive lives.

What is a Mental Health Disorder?

A mental health disorder, also known as a mental disorder or mental illness, is a diagnosable health condition. A mental health disorder changes how a person thinks, feels, or behaves, as well as causing distress and disruption in a person's life.

Mental health disorders can range from mild to severe. While there is no specific cause, mental health is affected by:

our biology (genes and brain chemistry),

our environment and experiences (home life, trauma, abuse), and

our lifestyle choices (nutrition, sleep, substance use).

Common Mental Health Disorders in Students

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one in six children in the United States experience a mental health disorder. In college-aged students (young adults 18-25 years old), that number jumps up to one in three.

According to the CDC, the most diagnosed mental health disorders in students are:

Warning Signs of Mental Health Disorders in Students

If a student is struggling with their mental health, there will be warning signs. Sometimes these are signs that the student needs help caring for their mental health. The warning signs could also be symptoms of a diagnosable mental health disorder.

The following are signs and symptoms of a student struggling with their mental health:

When these signs and symptoms disrupt how we function at home, school, work, or in our relationships, it is time to get professional help.

If left untreated, mental health disorders can lead to more serious problems, including:

Fortunately, schools can offer resources, referrals, and services to support student mental health.

Next Steps: Mental Health Education for Students

Mental health is important for students because it is part of overall well-being. Good mental health promotes a student's health, happiness, learning, and academic achievement. Through mental health education, schools can combat mental health stigma and common myths. Students can learn about improving their mental health, signs of mental health disorders, and where to go when they need help.

McMillen Health's educators would love to work with you and your students to promote mental health awareness. Using high-tech media rooms, our educators can reach classrooms anywhere with an internet connection.

Mental Health Programs Offered at McMillen Health

Alysia Marshall-Seslar

Alysia Marshall-Seslar is the Writing and Marketing Associate at McMillen Health. Along with being the author of TamTalks, Alysia contributes to the research and development of McMillen's custom health education curriculum.

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Why Mental Health is Important for Students - McMillen Health

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Student mental health has a direct impact on learning, school participation, and academic achievement. Teachers, schools, and educational organizations can support student success by promoting mental health.

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What are the most common sources of stress and anxiety for students at school (e.g., academic pressure, social issues, family problems)? How do these challenges impact your mental health?

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What are the most common sources of stress and anxiety for students at school (e.g., academic pressure, social issues, family problems)? How do these challenges impact your mental health?

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Post a short description or personal story about the types of stress or anxiety you’ve experienced or witnessed in school, and how they affect daily life and studies.

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How do you cope with stress or anxiety? Do you practice any self-care routines, mindfulness techniques, or other methods that help you stay mentally healthy?

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How do you cope with stress or anxiety? Do you practice any self-care routines, mindfulness techniques, or other methods that help you stay mentally healthy?

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Share helpful tips, routines, or activities that you use to improve your mental health.

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Are there resources available in your school or community to support mental health? How effective are they, and what more could be done to help students struggling mentally?

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Are there resources available in your school or community to support mental health? How effective are they, and what more could be done to help students struggling mentally?

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Post any information about mental health resources, such as school counselors, online resources, or helplines. You can also suggest improvements or additional support services that schools could offer to better address students’ needs.

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seek proffesional help when struggling metally

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What can schools do to help students with mental health issues?

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What can schools do to help students with mental health issues?

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Suggest ways schools can better support mental health.

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Is something at school really bothering you? Feel free to rant about it here.

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Is something at school really bothering you? Feel free to rant about it here.

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Use this space to express your frustrations or worries. No judgment—just a place to let it out!

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences! Remember, mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Together, we can raise awareness and help create a supportive environment for all students.

# data[].attributes.subject
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences! Remember, mental health is just as important as physical health, and seeking help is a sign of strength. Together, we can raise awareness and help create a supportive environment for all students.