Ensuring Mental Well-being of Students
The importance of fostering the mental well-being of students cannot be overstated. Students face pressures that extend far beyond academic expectations; they include societal demands, peer influence, the influence of technology, social media, and uncertainty of the future to name a few. These create unrealistic expectations and a constant comparison mindset among students.
Globally, around 13 per cent of young people under the age of 18 experience significant mental health challenges.
Recognising these challenges is crucial to implementing strategies that create an environment for students to flourish emotionally and academically. In the words of Dave McMaster, Founding Director of the American School of Bahrain – “Happy students are much more likely to be successful in everything they do at school.”
At the forefront of this challenge are schools and universities. Students spend the majority of their time at school, which makes the school play a pivotal role and presents it with an opportunity to address the well-being concerns and take necessary measures. To begin with, promoting effective communication is essential for addressing mental health challenges in schools. Furthermore, creating a supportive academic environment can significantly contribute to a healthier student body. Certain strategies can include mindful practices, stress management workshops, and readily available access to mental health resources within the institution.
Several educational institutions across the globe have been taking innovative approaches to prioritise student mental well-being.
In 2019, 10 schools across Bahrain were part of the experimental curriculum of the “Mindfulness at Schools” initiative, which was aimed at helping students aged 12-14 overcome stress and anxiety and create a more positive learning environment.
Establishing an open dialogue between students and educators creates a judgment-free space for sharing concerns. Normalizing mental health discussions as a regular part of classroom conversations is crucial for nurturing emotional well-being. The easiest approach is peer support groups, which foster open communication, allowing students to share experiences and challenges under trained facilitators’ guidance. This not only provides a platform for expression but also builds a sense of community and understanding among students.
In an innovative initiative by Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School in 2021, a dual language “Safeguarding and Well-being Hub” was integrated into the school’s system. It sought to provide a holistic approach to supporting student’s mental and emotional well-being, encompassing various programs and resources designed to create a nurturing and supportive educational environment.
St Christopher’s School has been taking a proactive stance on students’ non-academic well-being through their redesigned enrichment program. It allowed students, actively involved in the program, to seek skills to positively impact their own and others’ happiness and be more self-aware of their words and actions, by equipping all students equally.
In today’s digital age, technology in education presents both opportunities and challenges for student mental health. While offering avenues for learning and connection, it also brings risks such as cyberbullying and prolonged screen time. Educators play a vital role in guiding students towards responsible technology use, encouraging a balanced approach to online and offline activities within the school environment.
By effective utilisation of technology, educators have started integrating EdTech tools into their programs, such as online counselling services, for a safe, anonymous space for students to discuss their problems without fear. Major School ERP providers have integrated mood-tracking apps, continually monitoring students’ emotions and sending reports to parents and administrators. Additionally, apps and platforms that offer mindfulness exercises and meditation techniques, promoting self-care through guided sessions, have also been put to use.
AI-powered chatbots offer 24/7 counselling without appointments, while biofeedback devices monitor physical responses during stress. Another EdTech tool which has gained traction is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) programs, which help users identify and replace negative thought patterns with positive ones through interactive activities such as journaling or quizzes.
Initiatives such as Centervention and the Superflex curriculum from The Social Thinking Training & Speakers’ Collaborative, emphasise restorative justice and social-emotional learning. These programs aim to equip students with improved coping skills and confidence by offering educational guidance and space for students to seek additional emotional support.
Making students’ mental well-being a priority is crucial. Schools can and are learning from successful global innovations and deriving them to personally curate supportive environments. This dedication ensures students not only do well academically but also face life’s challenges with resilience and emotional strength.
