As of 2024, mental health has gained immense popularity among young people, especially in schools. From resources online to in the classroom, schools and workplaces are trying their best to support their students and colleagues in the challenging battle against bad mental health.
Children and young adults are known to be the top priority in terms of providing support for mental health, from therapy centres.
One is Youth Talk, a free service that provides in-person therapy chat sessions, and online apps such as Finch, a mental health app where you raise a bird and go on adventures.
Mental health resources are found everywhere. Schools have also started to get more involved by placing posters with QR codes linking to chat centres or websites that support mental health.
These resources can come in handy when students are feeling stressed and overwhelmed from exams.
Scientific studies show that mental health affects classroom performance; when the body is stressed, the adrenal glands at the top of both kidneys, release adrenaline which triggers the body's 'fight, flight or freeze' response; the heart will beat faster which causes blood pressure to increase.
People will experience symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches and chest pain. A prolonged increase in blood pressure can lead to other health problems such as risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Hence why it is important to give yourself time to focus on your mental health.
But how is mental health supported in schools, and what can you do to support your child at home?
Here are a few things you can do to support your child when dealing with the stress of school.
1. Designate a specific time for rest.
Everybody needs a break at least once a day.
Assignments can become overwhelming when trying to find a balance between home and school.
This advice was suggested to me a while back by a nurse at my local hospital. She stated that the mind can get tired easily when faced with too many tasks, and having a 30-minute to 1-hour break every day can help clear the mind.
Doing this can promote good mental health and allow your child to discover themselves through hobbies and social interaction.
2. Having a sleep schedule
Sleep is important, getting enough sleep allows the body to be energized during the day and maintain a clear mind.
Not enough sleep can lead to many health issues, with the effect on mental health being the worst.
The average sleep cycle lasts for 4 hours, hence why it is best to have at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
Going to bed and waking up at the same time allows the brain to get into a schedule that works, promoting a good mood for the next day.
3. Having control over the phone
A common problem found in students during the present day is the overuse of their phones and social media.
Social media is a way of getting to know what is happening in the world around us, it can be positive but there are also some downsides.
Social media can cause students to have insecurities as new beauty trends are rising every day.
Restrictions can be put in place such as making sure that your child is using social media apps that are appropriate for their age.
Making sure that phones are not overused at home can also prevent an addiction to social media and better focus on studies.
Looking at a screen for a long time also contributes to the need for glasses due to the development of short-sightedness.
Mental health is vital during the years of education, keeping track of assignments while balancing time for yourself is important.
This advice will also be helpful when in the workplace as unexpected tasks can arise.
Looking after your mental health can keep you prepared for any obstacles that stand in the way.
