Mental Health Is Not Extra Credit: Why Schools Must Step Up Now

8 Jul

„A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and deserves the same level of support.” – Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

When I was a child, schools were primarily seen as institutions of learning. Yes, we also learnt social skills when interacting with our friends and teachers. Still, families were considered the primary hub of social-emotional care. I am absolutely certain that mental health challenges existed, and that they already showed in teenagers, too, but it was not something anyone really talked about. Well, this has changed. This was the “old world.”

In the new world, we know that according to the WHO:

One in seven 10-19-year-olds, i.e. 15%, develop a mental health challenge.
75% of mental health challenges develop by the age of 25.
50% begin by the age of 18.

Given the number of hours a child spends in the school environment and the number of interactions with classmates and educators, it comes as no surprise that schools are seen in a different light. Families are no longer the primary hub of social-emotional care. Rather, schools and families have become equally important.

How the youth see their mental health

This is why it also comes as no surprise that the 5.500 young people between the age of 14 and 25 who took part in the recent Youth Empowerment Participation (YEP) study “YEP – Youth Report Mental Health (Jugendbericht Mental Health)” gave devastating feedback on their mental health:

Only 7 % are happy.
63 % of youth are not doing well.

“We are struggling because we are not taught how to manage stress. We hardly have any free time, we are overwhelmed with schoolwork, tests, etc., and there is a lot of pressure.”

55 % don’t feel like they are taken seriously when speaking about their mental health.

“When I mentioned at school that I was having difficulties and couldn't cope anymore, the teachers didn't take me seriously and even laughed at me. “

81% say that a feeling of belonging is essential for their well-being.

“The sense of belonging has been greatly diminished since the pandemic, even though it is so important. This has left its mark on us! But we often lack the space to discuss it, and it is a taboo subject. “

63 % use social media to get information on mental health. Only 17% stated that they received any mental health related information from their schools.

“We are under so much pressure! At school, you have to perform well; it feels like your whole life depends on it. On social media, you also feel pressure to be a certain way... “

“You can find information on social media. But I don't know if it's all true. “

“When you get your information from social media, you have the problem that the algorithm also shows you other videos that make you sad.”

58% would like to see more education related to mental health at schools, giving educational institutions a clear preference over documentaries, social media, books or their home environment.

“No one explains to us what we can do when we have mental health problems, i.e. how we can help ourselves and others. Why don't I learn this at school? “

Who do young people turn to when they are not OK?

A person they trust (like a friend)
A family member
A doctor/therapist

So, here’s the deal: On the one hand they would like to receive more education on mental health matters at school, on the other hand teachers are not who they would turn to. Their friends will listen, but neither these friends nor their family members are necessarily in a position to provide the help they really need, let alone are familiar with the resources for support.

„I usually talk to my friends when I have problems – I feel like they take me seriously. But I don't know if I would talk to my teachers... I need to have a relationship with them first. “

This is particularly relevant because 25% of young people indicated that they don’t have a person they would confide this kind of issue to at all.

Therefore, schools and parents need to form alliances of trust and support. In order for that to happen, they need to educate themselves in mental health matters. In a perfect world, this awareness would extend to the youth as well. But well-being is more than just mental health. That is why the young people who took part in the YEP study indicated additional skills they would like to learn about at schools.

“If it’s about them, don’t do it without them.” (Youth Empowerment Participation; YEP)

What are the top five things young people would like to learn about at schools?

How to build self-confidence
How to understand and better control your emotions
How to deal with stress and use relaxation techniques
Mental health
How to practice self-care and self-awareness

“We would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently.” – Michelle Obama

In a recent article published by McKinsey and written by Jimmy Sarakatsannis et al., the authors tout the same horn, albeit from a US perspective. They argue that the adolescent mental health pandemic leaves us no choice other than to expand school-based services. All main mental health indicators worsened between 2013 and 2023.

In view of this dire situation, they propose six measures. You will not be surprised to read that many of them match the requests put forward by the young people who took part in the YEP study.

Upstream services and supports to promote well-being and social-emotional learning
Prevention (i.e. screenings) and education on mental health
Workshops on the social media
Mechanisms for early intervention, e.g. in cases of anxiety or bullying
Provide family support and services to caregivers so that they can support their children
Support by medical professionals along the entire spectrum of care, including community partners

What’s my bottom line?

We as societies must take action. Schools need to step up their game. Parents need to be involved to complete the picture. And all of this needs to happen urgently. More likely than not, these shocking numbers will only increase in the future.

At Let’s Be Real, we understand the challenges this situation represents for schools. And we are here to support you on this journey.

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