Mental Health
According to World Health Organisation, health is referred as the overall physical, mental and
social well-being of an individual and not merely the absence of any disease or infirmity. It is
considered as fundamental right of every human being to have a good standard of health across
the globe without any distinction on the basis of their gender, country of origin, language they
speak, colour of skin, their socio-economic status etc.
Mental health is the area of our health that refers to a person’s thought process, expression of
feeling and emotions, patterns of managing stressful and challenging situations, way of
behaviour, needs and desires of an individual etc. Mental health of an individual depends on
several factors like Physiological health, social and environmental factors. Many researches have
suggested that a good physical health is required for a good mental health and some researches
suggests vice-versa.
If we look at the factors which can affect our mental health, we can first think about biological or
physiological reasons like injury or infection to our brain or parts of the brain or nervous system,
genetic or hereditary conditions prone to develop mental illness. Then we can focus on the
psychological reasons like traumatic experience, behavioural issues, low resistance to stressful
situations, cognitive distortions, etc. The social reasons may relate to the family discords,
separation of parents, death of our loved one, media influence on certain behaviours, substance
abuse, etc.
A good mental health involves effective functioning in daily activities, meanwhile if the mental
health is poor then the individual would experience challenges in every area of life. Good mental
health enhances our productivity in work and healthy relationships are also maintained
meanwhile if we experience mental issues, it is seen through our actions, thought process, low
productivity in work.
Role of positive mental health in life
Positive mental health leads to success in life both in school and out of the school. Learners
success in school and life is linked to their mental health. Few research findings indicate that
children who receive mental health support do better in academics, are flexible and adaptive to
change.
Need to understand Mental Health in school
A child experiences an important transitional phase when he/she enters the school and leave the
comfort zone provided by parents and guardians. There is very essential to understand mental
health in school as this is the environment where child grow holistically. Understanding mental
health in school helps to make learners aware regarding coping strategies, tips to improving
memory, stress management, etc.
There are certain challenges which an individual face in school life which directly or indirectly
affect his or her mental health.
Separation Anxiety: - Children grows in their families from the time of birth during which their
bond with the family members gets formed and they connect emotionally. But when children go
to school, many children cries due to that temporary separation. Some children take more time to
adjust, which sometimes develop some kind of anxiety when they go to unfamiliar situation.
Stage Fear: - Performing on the stage may also induce fear in some children which affects their
performance. Such children might be good in academics or other activities but whenever an
audience is listening and watch them, their performance affects
Examination Anxiety: - Examination or performance fear is also a phenomenon that many
students experience. It happens when students afraid of before any exam or situation where they
are supposed to get assessed for their performance.
Peer Influence: - Having peer support is very important in student life as it helps us to grow and
develop many social and personal skills. But sometimes this peer Influence is not good, for
example if someone is talking things favourable about substance and promoting substance use, it
may influence ones who don’t like to consume any kind of substance.
Bullying: -
Bullying is a very serious concern specially in school going children and adolescents. This
bullying affects individual mentally and emotionally, and it creates guilt and self-doubt in a
child.
Mental health support required in school -
Mental health support in schools can be done through appointment of well informed and
equipped counsellors along with special education teachers who are specialised in giving mental
health guidance and support. Along with this, other teachers are also required to be aware about
mental health related concerns. Research findings shown that the children and adolescents
experience a mental health concern like stress, anxiety, bullying, substance abuse etc. A large
number of students who experience any kind of difficulty at mental level, do not receive the
attention and care they need because of the lack of awareness regarding mental illnesses. That is
why it is important to teachers have awareness to address the mental health challenges faced by
school students.
Perception about mental health: -
Mental health is a matter of concern in the society at different level but still it requires a great
effort to aware general population as there are still so much negative perception associated with
mental health related concerns. The awareness programmes and training session with different
stakeholders of the society will surely change the perception of people.
Activity 1
Activity Name: - Shout out peer strengths
Members required: - All the members of group
Task:- All the group members will note down the strength of each member and will explain the
strength and then talk about the positives of having that strength and then mention the member
who is having that trait. This practice will enhance the confidence and self confidence of an
individual.
Activity 2
Activity Name: - Learn to say NO
Members required: - All group members
Task:- This activity will enhance the assertiveness among the learners. Group members will
create some situation which are undesirable to them but others request them to do. Then group
members will discuss how can we say no or show our opinion without offending or hurting
others.
Activity 3
Activity Name:- Sharing of feelings
Members required:- All group members
Task:- Sharing of our feelings is very important to vent out. Members of the group will prepare
some situation when a person feels to share but cannot share his/her thought process with others.
Then they will suggest ways how to communicate thoughts and feelings with others.
References: -
Mental health and Wellbeing: A Perspective. Central Board of Secondary Education
Bhugra Dinesh, Till Alex and Sartorius Norman (2013). What is mental health? International
Journal of Social Psychiatry 59(1) 3 –4
https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
https://positivepsychology.com/mental-health-activities-worksheets-books/
https://www.outbackteambuilding.com/blog/mental-health-awareness-month-activities/
