How Mental Health Affects Students
Mental health is a major concern in schools and one that affects students’ lives at all levels. It affects their social and emotional development, as well as their academic performance.
Fortunately, there are several ways to combat the problem. By empowering students with knowledge and encouraging dialogue, schools can provide a safe environment where students can talk about their feelings and get the help they need.
Depression
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects more than 25 percent of teens. It can negatively impact a person’s ability to focus, learn, and interact with others.
In college, it’s especially important for students to receive treatment for depression because it can have long-term effects on their learning and health. It can also lead to suicide if not treated.
The best way to treat depression is through psychotherapy (talk therapy), which helps you change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. You can also get prescription medicine called antidepressants, which can help change the brain chemistry that causes depression.
Another important factor to keep in mind is that many people with depression also have anxiety or substance abuse problems. If your child has one of these co-occurring disorders, it can exacerbate his or her depression and make it more difficult to get the help they need.
Anxiety
Many students experience anxiety from time to time, but when it becomes persistent and interferes with your daily life, it may be a mental health condition that needs treatment.
Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Each disorder is marked by a heightened sense of fear and anxiety that interferes with your daily activities.
It can also cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and a lack of concentration. If left untreated, this can result in severe problems with your physical and mental well-being.
The best way to cope with anxiety is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to be present and aware of your surroundings, without judgment.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is a brain disorder that affects children. It causes problems with attention and impulsive behavior that can impact every area of a child’s life.
It can interfere with school performance and relationships with peers, leading to poor standardized test scores and low rates of high school graduation. Treatment options include medication and behavioral interventions.
But, like any other mental health condition, ADHD can be difficult to diagnose and treat. It is also associated with many co-existing conditions such as oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, anxiety, tic disorders or Tourette syndrome, substance abuse, sleep disorders and learning disabilities (Austerman, 2015).
Although the cause of ADHD is unknown, it is thought to be linked to changes in the brain. Some experts believe that ADHD is a combination of genetics, brain chemicals, and environmental factors.
Trauma
Traumatic experiences can have a profound impact on students. They can affect a student’s perception of safety, their sense of hope for the future, relationships with others and overall mental health.
The effects of traumatic events can last for days, weeks or months. It’s normal for people to feel a range of symptoms, such as exhaustion, confusion, sadness, numbness and an increased sense of awareness.
If the effects of trauma are severe, it’s important to seek help. These symptoms may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.
In addition to mental health conditions, PTSD can also cause physical health problems such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue and a racing heartbeat. These conditions can affect a student’s ability to focus, concentrate and learn. Treatment may include medication, therapy and self-care. It’s important to get help immediately after a traumatic event. Keeping a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep can also help with stress management after a traumatic experience.
