As a teacher, you already know you have to wear many hats every day. You’re more than just an educator. You’re a leader, a friend, and an advocate. You may be the biggest source of inspiration and comfort in a student’s day.
Because of that, you have an opportunity to take your advocate role and use it for the sake of your students’ mental health.
The last year has been challenging for everyone. Even at the beginning of the pandemic, one survey found that 29 percent of parents believed their child’s mental or emotional health was already harmed due to uncertainty and fear.
Taking the pandemic out of the equation, kids have to deal with a lot of daily stress. Whether it’s handling a hard home life, dealing with social issues, or struggling in school, it’s not uncommon for their mental health to suffer.
So, what can you do to be a better advocate?
Implement Healthy Coping Mechanisms
When your students trust you, the best way you can be an advocate for their mental health is to listen and guide. You can take charge of a variety of different stress-reducing techniques throughout the day in your classroom. Try to implement some of the following into your daily class routine:
- Stretching
- Meditation
- Exercising lightly
- Journaling
- As a way of expressing gratitude, thanking
Stress can be reduced by practising mindfulness, both in and out of the classroom. Depending on the age of your students, you can try breathing exercises or setting goals. Breathing exercises can have a profound effect on the atmosphere in your classroom, allowing your students to be more focused and ready to learn.
Students who engage in these techniques even for just a few minutes a day will notice a reduction in their anxiety and stress.
It will be even more beneficial if they can carry on these habits at home. To help a student who is struggling with anxiety or depression, you should talk to their parents. Identify ways to cope both at school and at home, as well as discuss things that may need to be restricted. Students who go home and binge-watch their favourite shows each day may experience a decrease in dopamine activity, which can lead to feelings of depression. With their parents’ help, you can encourage a more active lifestyle, such as spending time outside or engaging in creative pursuits.
Attempt to Make a Positive Difference
Your local school board or superintendent may be able to help you if you want to advocate for all students, not just those in your classroom. There are many ways you can advocate for better mental health services in your local schools, including contacting your local government. The benefits of these services should be made clear to your district if they don’t currently exist, such as:
- Giving children a safe place to openly express their feelings
- Families can easily get in and out.
- Improved staff awareness of warning signs of mental illness
- Changing the perception of mental health in the community
Negative stereotypes about mental health or a lack of knowledge about where to get help can keep students from coming forward with their concerns. Declare your authority as a spokesperson. Helping just one student is still a huge step forward because it shows other teachers just how critical student mental health is.
You can lessen student depression and anxiety by involving your local government or district. Then, you may even save lives. You can be a part of the movement to improve the mental health of children in this country by showing your students that you care about them and that you’re there for them.
