In 2020, the clothing company Hollister Co. declared March 2nd to be World Teen Mental Wellness Day. The day is intended to help reduce the stigma around mental health challenges while also promoting self-care. With the National Alliance on Mental Illness, (NAMI) reporting that as many as 25% of teenagers will receive a mental health diagnosis during adolescence, educators are extremely likely to encounter students who are struggling with their mental health. Below, we rounded up some ideas for schools and teachers to support and educate students.
Incorporate stress relief tools
Having an array of healthy tools to deal with stress can be a great place to start the conversation around mental wellness. As educators, we know that what works for one student doesn’t necessarily work for another. Offer students a variety of tools to reduce stress so they can discover what works for them. Some might benefit from movement breaks or a quick nature walk, while others find that a short meditation or breathing strategy helps lower their stress levels.
Spend more time outdoors
Research shows that getting outside benefits us in multiple ways. Time in nature can improve attention and focus and lower stress. A Danish study even suggested that children with access to green space are less likely to develop psychiatric disorders as teens and adults. If getting outdoors isn’t feasible due to weather, listening to nature sounds and viewing images of nature can have positive benefits.
Normalize the need for support
Does your school make a concerted effort to bring school counselors, social workers and other mental health professionals into the classroom regularly so they become a familiar face for students? If not, consider giving it a try. Doing so reinforces the idea that taking care of our mental health is just another part of life to learn about, no different than physical education or science.
While teachers, school counselors and family members can all play a crucial role in getting support for students, there’s nothing quite as powerful as realizing that other classmates face struggles, too. If your school isn’t currently offering a peer support program, consider integrating a program into your district. Hope Squad, Mental Health First Aid and Sources of Strength are just a few of the programs which use peer support models to prevent suicide and increase positive mental health.
Get Novel
Mental health among children and teens is a serious topic, but sometimes sprinkling in a little novelty can help lower everyone’s stress levels.
One way to boost the mood of students (and staff) is to bring a friendly pet into the classroom a few times a week. A study in the U.K. found that bringing a dog into the classroom for two 20-minute visits a week was more effective at lowering stress levels among students than a meditation session.
Another idea high school educators could try is setting up a tea station in the classroom, as research indicates that drinking tea can actually lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.
Coloring books, even for older students, is another fun activity that can reduce stress. One teacher introduced a monthly reading hour. She decorated the classroom with twinkly lights and invited students to bring snacks, blankets and pillows to the classroom while they read.
Finally, please make sure you’re taking excellent care of yourself. Don’t be afraid to mention your own self-care strategies to your students. It’s good modeling, and as a teacher, it’s crucial to keep your own bucket full so you can keep showing up for your students.