Importance of Mental Health in School Curriculum

Mental health a term known to all has been a topic of discussion but very little attention has been paid on the formulation of policies to tackle and guide healthcare towards the issue predominantly affecting the youth. Regular Student Therapy programs or the availability of guidance counselors in schools and colleges can be an imperative step in the direction towards management of mental health and academic stress among students of various age groups.

The most important reason that reiterates the importance of therapy in educational institutions is explained by the fact that around “1 in 10 children and young people are affected by mental health problems” (Naresh). These include depression, anxiety and conduct disorder, and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives. What is more alarming is the fact that about 70% of these cases do not receive any formal or medical interventions at the appropriate age and the students have to fight these battles on their own. The lifestyle changes and the amount of social and emotional trauma and pressure the youth of today faces hold the crux of the problematic rates. Most of the students cannot afford the overly priced mental health care system like occasional or clinical therapy making it a privilege beyond their reach. This further exemplifies the requirement of such systems which are able to reach out to the children and teenagers free of cost.

Emotional health problems not only signify distress on emotional level that needs to be taken care of but if not addressed on time can cascade into mammoth sized issues like Depression,Self-Harm, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorders), Schizophrenia, Substance abuse and eating disorders to name a few. The students often fall into vicious cycles of physiological traumas affecting everything right from their mental and physical well-being to their life goals. What started as just a mental health issue transforms into an amalgamation of physical and mental disturbance causing young students to lose sight of the chance of a beautiful life ahead. Mental health issues are also one of the major factors contributing to suicide among the youth which according to studies “suicide is one of the leading causes of death in adolescents and adults ages 15 to 24” (Hopkins).

Majority of the cases relating to mental health remain undiagnosed due to the lack of proper awareness. Although affecting the person suffering from such issues the most, emotional health problems can end up destroying lives and families. These matters need to be taken more seriously rather than invalidating them as passing phases of despair or sadness. Mental health demand the same level of attention as physical health and cannot be overlooked.

Furthermore, the commonality of emotional health issues at this age makes it irrefutable that tackling these problems is best done through mental health programs at schools and college levels itself. According to the WHO “Half of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age and these problems account for 16% of the global burden of disease and injury in people aged 10–19 years”. These statistics cannot be overlooked when it comes to the importance of paying proper attention to psychological health among youth and children. Suicide being the third largest cause of teenage deaths in the world puts it on our onus to provide to the needs of having a mental health program inclusive curriculum.

A sensitized environment like such might be the opening gate for children and young adults to come out and talk freely about their mental health battles. Adequate awareness about dealing with such problems and the knowledge of when and how to seek help will be a prime contributor in curtailing the rise of such issues in the youth of today. With this policy in place we might be able to save some precious and capable young lives that are just in need of a helping hand.