Factors affecting mental health by EUN Partnership aisbl

Yoga classes, sports, counseling

kjanaprik1 — 2024-05-20 14:18:01 UTC

we are so lucky to be able to offer protective factors on a diverse scale, our students have many different ways to try to make them selves feel better. They can use the yoga classes to lessen anxiety and stress, the same with sports. For a smaller school we are very lucky to have 2 counselors free and available to everyone that wants to book a session.

risk factors

kjanaprik1 — 2024-05-20 14:20:36 UTC

we are mostly able to be close to both students and parents, if there is something new in the behavior of the student we are mostly able to gain information easily and intervene early.

my health

kjanaprik1 — 2024-05-20 14:22:20 UTC

stress and challenges in my work affect my own mental health. Personal life challenges do also affect it, I work on diminishing it with yoga, walks, meditation and dancing.

Eva Greece

2024-05-20 15:52:37 UTC

Problems in the family or significant changes affect the emotional behaviour of Kindergarten children. Even the arrival of a new member in the family can be significant in changing a young learner's behavior. Stress can also be caused by conflicts in play between students. Often in such cases, discussions with parents, how to manage the child's behaviour, is a priority at school.

Bahrie Seid

BahrieSeid — 2024-05-20 16:13:21 UTC

I work in a kindergarden and when we notice somekind of change in the behavior of a kid, we are discussing it with our psychologist and with the parents. We all try to understand what is happening with that kid and we together find a solution.

Working for an independent consultancy, it is the job of our consultants to observe and assess their students'mental health situation, and the close 1 on 1 work that we do is well suited to help students open up.

2024-05-20 16:46:03 UTC

An early assessment of any mental health struggle, and early intervention with the family, can help assure that the student gains access of the help they need sooner

2024-05-20 16:47:14 UTC

Being responsible for many students and having to deal with families being unhappy with our work in where I suffer the most stress. Sometimes, working very long days will take its toll too

2024-05-20 16:47:55 UTC

ESL Teaching

2024-05-20 17:07:59 UTC

Unfortunately, my recently ex-company does not have protective factors or a system in place for intervention and assistance. There are no steps taken to educate teachers about signs to be aware of, no resources for students to reach out to for help, and no channels of communication/support for teachers to raise concerns. I deeply hope they will adapt and change in the future.

Key protective factors in my school are the use of the psychologist in activities involving groups of pupils, discussion and confrontation between colleagues

2024-05-20 17:33:54 UTC

2024-05-20 17:34:28 UTC

In future classrooms, I plan to have open general conversations regarding mental health; this will normalize mental health as a topic/concern, will give ESL students the language to be able to express themselves if/when they are struggling, as well as create a safe space to be able to talk about their own experiences if they feel comfortable. Making this space is one way to help me to be intentional and conscious of the current risks in my classroom.

2024-05-20 17:35:49 UTC

Financial/Resources

Familial

Biological

Challenges within childhood that carry long-term impact

PTSD

Measures to mitigate risk factors in my school involve dialogue with families, emotion-related classroom activities and the telling of emotions

2024-05-20 17:36:01 UTC

Factors influencing my mental health relate to family problems

2024-05-20 17:37:17 UTC

EfF

2024-05-20 21:19:51 UTC

There are two main key protective factors in my school :

the presence of a psychologist in the school > the students can choose to see her or we can send them to her if we suspect disorders for instance.
the well-being pHARe team composed of different categories of staff fighting against bullying using an French adatation of the PICAS method (pHARe)

EfF

2024-05-20 21:23:07 UTC

The well-being pHARe team has a national protocole to follow involving a first interview with the victim, then with the potential harrassers. If it is a case of bullying, we follow the line by trying to change their way of dealing with the victim. Most of the time it works. So interviews is the main step here!

EfF

2024-05-20 21:24:29 UTC

stress

lack of self-asteem

lack of support

living in an uncertain world

ELENI S, GREECE

2024-05-21 03:41:27 UTC

Several factors can affect mental health, and these can be broadly categorized into biological, psychological, and social factors. Understanding these factors can help in identifying and addressing mental health issues effectively. Here are the key factors:

### Biological Factors

1. Genetics: A family history of mental health disorders can increase the likelihood of developing similar issues.

2. Brain Chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters and hormones can affect mood and behavior.

3. Physical Health: Chronic illnesses, brain injuries, and poor physical health can impact mental well-being.

4. Age and Gender: Certain age groups and genders may be more susceptible to specific mental health issues due to hormonal changes, life transitions, or other biological factors.

### Psychological Factors

1. Trauma and Abuse: Past experiences of trauma, abuse, or neglect can have long-lasting effects on mental health.

2. Personality Traits: Certain personality traits, such as perfectionism or low self-esteem, can contribute to mental health issues.

3. Coping Skills: The ability to manage stress and cope with life's challenges can significantly influence mental health.

4. Cognitive Patterns: Negative thinking patterns, such as catastrophizing or all-or-nothing thinking, can lead to mental health problems.

### Social Factors

1. Family Relationships: Supportive family dynamics can protect against mental health issues, while dysfunctional relationships can contribute to them.

2. Social Support: Strong social networks and friendships can improve mental health, while social isolation can worsen it.

3. Socioeconomic Status: Economic stability and access to resources like healthcare and education play a crucial role in mental health.

4. Work Environment: Job stress, workplace bullying, and job insecurity can negatively impact mental health.

5. Cultural Factors: Cultural norms and values can influence the perception and treatment of mental health issues. Stigma associated with mental health can prevent individuals from seeking help.

6. Life Events: Significant life changes, such as divorce, loss of a loved one, or moving to a new place, can trigger mental health issues.

### Environmental Factors

1. Living Conditions: Poor living conditions, such as overcrowding or lack of safety, can affect mental health.

2. Access to Services: Availability of mental health services and support systems is crucial for maintaining mental well-being.

3. Exposure to Violence: Witnessing or experiencing violence can have a profound impact on mental health.

### Lifestyle Factors

1. Substance Use: Abuse of alcohol and drugs can lead to or exacerbate mental health problems.

2. Physical Activity: Regular exercise is associated with better mental health, while a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to mental health issues.

3. Diet: Nutrition affects brain function and overall mental health; poor diet can lead to or worsen mental health conditions.

4. Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for mental health; sleep disorders or poor sleep quality can negatively impact mental well-being.

Understanding these factors can help in the early identification and effective management of mental health issues, promoting a more comprehensive approach to mental well-being.

In our school there is a psychagogue and a school social worker. The students know about these people and can make appointments independently. Younger children are usually introduced by the teachers. In general, the teachers are very attentive to changes in the children's behavior. They seek dialogue with the pupils and parents, or they refer to the psycho.social support staff.

2024-05-21 08:00:25 UTC

my mental health

2024-05-21 08:15:11 UTC

In our school, many students are from with problematic CVs. Many from refugee families, from families in precarious circumstances, neglected children... Their needs and worries, the inappropriate behavior often makes regular teaching often not possible. The staff to support these children - that is, me - is not on site for a sufficient number of hours. I often have the feeling that I only find crises, to defuse problems. A continuous work with Parents and teachers as well as with the children is hardly possible. This is frustrating and often leaves a feeling of helplessness. This is very stressful. Fortunately, I can take advantage of supervision.

matilde_morales — 2024-05-22 09:29:24 UTC

In my school, a large part of the mental health problems are related to self-perception, low self-esteem, social isolation and problems related to the social and family environment (families at risk of social exclusion, immigrants, etc.). To deal with them we have a guidance team that intervenes when a case is detected, as well as student mediators.

matilde_morales — 2024-05-22 09:32:24 UTC

Obviously my mental health is affected by my relationship with my students. Many of them lack motivation and interest to follow my classes. You could say that my students don't make it easy for me, but it is also a challenge to try to find new teaching methodologies and new ways of relating to them.

Dolores (Slovenia)

doloresmalic — 2024-05-22 11:27:53 UTC

Students at our school can get some help when dealing with various mental health issues from our social workers or their teachers, depending on how serious the problems are.

We also connect to professionals outside the school to get the students the best help possible.

Most mental health problems at our school occur because of the peer pressure and addiction to social media.

Students isolate themselves because they spend too much time on their phones and cannot develop intrapersonal skills. They also lack resilience and don't know how to cope in a proper way.

Dolores (Slovenia)

doloresmalic — 2024-05-22 11:31:43 UTC

We try to observe and pay attention to our students' behaviour so we could notice the problems when they occur or as soon as possible.

We discuss various mental health related topics in our classes, we also try to connect the topics we teach to our students' lives outside school.

We try to do as many preventive steps as possible: round tables, promoting the websites that offer professional advice etc.

Dolores (Slovenia)

doloresmalic — 2024-05-22 11:33:48 UTC

My mental health is mostly affected by the parents who have high demands their child can't meet. They seem to care about the grades more than the real knowledge so this can be a real issue for teachers as well.

I mostly manage to have a good relationship with most students so we talk to each other honestly and we learn how to get along as good as possible.

Ciortea ,Romania

2024-05-23 06:48:16 UTC

During the pandemic, many problems related to communication, relationship, adaptation and understanding of new realities erupted. Although sometimes it can be difficult, we have to adapt, to show more consideration towards others.

Vasilica Dinu ( Romania)

2024-05-23 16:12:00 UTC

After the pandemic, many problems arose among students and not only. Many students show anxiety, frustration, do not relate, episodes of verbal and physical violence occur. It is everyone's duty to intervene!

Sheila Budapest

2024-05-24 07:53:12 UTC

In my current school, we have a counsellor, a behaviourial support assistant and a special educational needs team who are all very good. The counsellor is available to all children who experience issues at home or in school- this is very helpful

Sheila Budapest

2024-05-24 07:58:48 UTC

We use a school-wide PSHE programme (jigsaw) to help inculate dialogue and understanding around social and emotional health. I strive to have daily open conversations around any upsets or issues in my class which I find super helpful in creating more supportive class environments. Working with parents as part of a team is vital to support children.

Sheila Budapest

2024-05-24 08:08:17 UTC

I have found the uncaring attitudes of management to be a huge factor in unsettling teacher's mental health. Teachers are undervalued with mounting heavy workloads which are corrosive over time leading to many leaving or simply checking out (I do not blame any teacher for this). I have found any dialogue about workloads or the lack of valuing reframed as 'not coping' or 'finding fault' so I have stopped! To protect my mental health I fill my life with lovely moments and build the best learning community in my classroom. It helps.

Martin, Croatia

2024-05-29 07:21:39 UTC

Key protective factors in my school is school prevention program which involves a lot of workshops with students (empathy, mental health, accepting differences...). We try to create cohesive enviroment among all workers and our students. Besides that, we try to develop values such as love, caring and mutual respect among all students.

Martin, Croatia

2024-05-29 07:26:17 UTC

We use prevention programs throughout the whole academic year. As well, we pay a lot of attention to children's behaviour and monitor their progress longitudally. When a deviation in beahviour occurs, we act. Usually I do individual work with those children - empowering them and supporting. If there is a need for more proffesional help, we have a great relationship with school doctor or children's psyhologist.

Martin, Croatia

2024-05-29 07:29:11 UTC

My mental health is somewhat affected by school stress - when there is a lot of stressfull experiences in a short time. Besides that, I can be overwhelmed when working a lot (after work I do assigements for project and doctoral study).

Key protective factors in my school

2024-05-30 07:48:43 UTC

In my school we have a number of support systems in place .We follow a Kiva programme against bullying, which is followed by teachers and the Kiva team. There is a care support team to intervene and solve behavioural/psychlogical issues .There are teachers and assistants for special education needs.

Prevention and intervention programmes like Kiva. Discussions with parents incase of concerns. A care team that is involved thorought the year.

2024-05-30 07:52:48 UTC

factors

2024-05-30 07:55:44 UTC

As a teacher it is difficult to compartmentalize my professional and personal life. The differentiated teaching method can also be stressful sometimes .

Key protective factors in my school

2024-05-31 07:16:54 UTC

In my school we have a team against bullying that organizes projects with students; We have a psychologist, students can talk to whenever they need.

Steps to mitigate the risk factors

2024-05-31 07:22:10 UTC

Create prevention projects, have a point of reference for students, discuss with someone if there are problems.

Factors affecting my mental health

2024-05-31 07:30:03 UTC

Factors that mainly affects my mental health are depending on school burocracy and afternoon reunions. There are periods with a high level of stress, due to the amount of work in a very short time.

LIVIA G. ,ROMANIA

liviaghiurcuta — 2024-06-01 19:16:35 UTC

In my school there is only the school psychologist. As the head teacher of a class, you have to fend for yourself.

LIVIA G., ROMANIA

liviaghiurcuta — 2024-06-01 19:19:43 UTC

Extracurricular activities that address prevention and discussions with parents.

LIVIA G., ROMANIA

liviaghiurcuta — 2024-06-01 19:22:48 UTC

Many times you feel overwhelmed by school and extracurricular activities, lectures with parents, preparing lessons, activities for educational projects, but every time we have to overcome these barriers and continue.

Pompilia Cosma, România, Constanța

CosmaPompilia — 2024-06-05 08:06:03 UTC

Strong support system for students, including access to counselors, social workers, and special education resources
Positive relationships between students and teachers, promoting a sense of belonging and connection
Safe and inclusive learning environment that encourages diversity and acceptance
Opportunities for students to build self-esteem and positive self-image through extracurricular activities and academic achievements
Consistent communication and collaboration between parents, teachers, and other school staff to ensure holistic support for students

Pompilia Cosma, România, Constanța

CosmaPompilia — 2024-06-05 08:06:55 UTC

Implementing regular mental health screenings and assessments for students to identify potential issues early on
Providing ongoing training and professional development for staff on mental health awareness and support strategies
Developing individualized education plans (IEPs) that address mental health needs and provide appropriate accommodations
Promoting a school-wide culture of acceptance and understanding towards mental health issues, reducing stigma and promoting open communication
Collaborating with community resources and organizations to provide additional support and resources for students with mental health challenges

Pompilia Cosma, România, Constanța

CosmaPompilia — 2024-06-05 08:07:34 UTC

Balancing the demands of teaching special needs children with self-care practices and boundaries to prevent burnout
Managing stress and emotional challenges that may arise from working with students who have complex needs
Seeking support from colleagues, supervisors, and mental health professionals when needed
Creating a healthy work-life balance that includes time for relaxation, hobbies, and relationships outside of work
Practicing mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques to maintain mental well-being

Key protective factors in my school

2026-04-09 18:17:32 UTC

In my opinion, strong and supportive relationships between teachers and students is the key to protect our children and teens. Because, when students feel safe and valued, they are more likely to develop confidence and to open up about what is happening.

Steps to mitigate the risk factors in my school

2026-04-09 18:18:41 UTC

I believe it is important to implement programs that promote emotional awareness and prevent bullying + teachers should also be trained to recognize signs of stress or emotional difficulties in students. Promoting empathy and respect within the classroom is also essential.

Factors affecting my mental health

2026-04-09 18:19:34 UTC

In my personal life maintaining a routine, learning new things, and staying connected with others are topics that help me a lot.