In this article, it is described how there could be a potential link between adolescents sitting around and depressive symptoms. It is beneficial to adolescents to be performing some sort of physical activity whether it is actually exercising or simply doing chores. The overall results of the depressive symptoms were measured from self-reports and also accelerometers. Research found that even the lightest amount of activity that was not sedentary helped overall mood a lot and adolescents did not necessarily have to participate in vigorous physical activity.

            This article can be useful for teachers because as teachers, they have students in their classroom for most of the day. Light movement can easily be included into lessons or even just transitions. Teachers could also assign homework assignments that include physical activity such as writing a paragraph after taking a nature walk rather than just assignments that only involve sitting still. I think it also is important for teachers to fight for recess and gym classes to make sure students achieve a healthy amount of physical exercise.  

 

This CNN article on anxiety in law school addresses the serious circumstances law students face. Law students are required to answer questions about any diagnosed or symptoms of mental health issues before they can become a lawyer. If they do come forward by saying they seek help, it could hinder their chances of becoming a lawyer. This article talks about how many law students don’t seek mental health help for that reason and are now trying to get those questions removed from the exam. While this is the college level, this teaches us future PK-4 teachers that we should normalize students’ emotions. They are young, but they can still struggle with mental health. We need to teach them how it’s okay to feel sad sometimes and that they have someone to talk to if they are feeling stressed. 

This article on mental and emotional health from CNN describes how more children are being diagnosed with mental health disorders, but over half of them are being untreated. The cost for therapy and treatment for mental health conditions is not cheap, which alters families for seeking out help for their children. The article continues to talk about the cost for these services, as well as the shortage of providers to help children with mental health disorders. It is growing rapidly, and faster then doctors and providers can come together to help the condition. Important information is given in this article, like the impacts of untreated mental health disorders. A mental health illness that goes untreated can result in serious consequences as severe as suicide. The growth in mental health disorders is affecting children in school and in their communities. The information pertains to teaching elementary students because this is such a growing topic and growing illness that needs attention. As a community and as educators, we can not ignore the mental health crisis that our children are in. We need to educate not only students, but parents also. In the classroom, we can teach students coping strategies to feelings they may have. We can also teach them how to deal with things that can influence a mental health disorder. This article can be used to bring more knowledge to teachers in regards to mental health and how to help the students who have untreated mental illnesses. Teachers can help push to evaluate students and provide them with the help and services they need.

This article is based on mental and emotional health with children and adolescents. Tells about what the warning signs are such as often talking about fears or worries or sleeping too much or too little. How mental illness can be treated or helped. It gives emergency numbers to call and generally who to call if you need help with mental illness.