Mental health is essential for everyone, but especially for students. Children and teens who attend school face countless potential stressors each day, from being around large crowds to having to sit still for prolonged periods.
Due to this, it’s crucial to prioritize students’ mental health to ensure they can keep growing and thriving in an educational environment. Here are four of the biggest reasons for answering the question, “Why is mental health important for students”?
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Promotes Active Learning
Image via Unsplash by Santi Vedri
One of the most important aspects of mental health for students is that taking care of it can help them learn more at school and in their daily lives. This is because receiving adequate support and resources for mental health allows students to use their energy for learning and curiosity, rather than fighting their hidden mental battles.
For example, a child with anxiety who receives support and treatment can manage their discomfort and focus on school with less fear about their internal struggles, since they know they’ll be supported through them rather than punished.
Encourages Academic Achievement
When students have good mental health, they’re more likely to perform well in school. This is because children whose mental health needs are met can put their attention on setting goals and working toward them. This includes academic achievements, as children who have great mental health often feel more motivated at and interested in school than children who struggle constantly with mental health conditions.
Similarly, children who are diagnosed with mental health disorders often have difficulty with tasks like problem-solving and paying attention during class. When they receive the support they need, these problems become more manageable, making it easier for them to focus and reach new educational milestones.
Helps Manage Stress
Another reason mental health is important for students is that it can help them deal with childhood stress. It’s natural for children and teens to feel stress, especially as they learn new concepts and take on new challenges at school.
By prioritizing students’ mental health, parents can make it easier for them to manage their stress. This occurs by giving students methods for calming their minds and tools they can use for stress management for the rest of their lives, such as using creative outlets and asking for help when they need it most.
Strengthens Physical Health
Some mental health conditions make it more difficult to maintain physical health. For example, children with social anxiety may find it more challenging to play outside with other kids, and children with attention disorders might have aversions to eating and bathing regularly.
This is why maintaining a child’s mental health can strengthen their physical health, as when their mind is taken care of, they have more awareness and energy for taking care of their bodies as well.
These are just a few of the reasons why mental health is so important for students. When thinking about wellness in catholic schools, there’s a lot more to it than having physically healthy children. By taking time to prioritize the mental health of students, parents can give them the support they need to thrive in school and reach new heights as they grow.
