Twenty years ago, schools weren’t thinking so much about their student’s mental health. Sure, a child experiencing challenges would be looked after. The student body? It was widely assumed that kids with no outward signs of stress were doing fine.
The modern outlook on mental health is different. Society now recognizes that stress and mental health struggles can assume many different shapes.
Anyone can struggle with their mental health, and everyone can benefit from safe learning spaces. But what does that look like? In this article, we take a look at how schools are modernizing to build more supportive and healthy work environment for all of their students.
Daily Check-ins
It’s a simple but effective concept. Daily check-ins encourage students to think actively about how they are feeling. Here’s an example:
Ms. Kennedy’s first-grade class files in, tired but eager, in their seats by 8:10 just as the bell rings and the daily announcements begin. When the principal sounds off, Ms. Kennedy takes attendance and then directs her students to take a seat on the rug near the SmartBoard.
It’s time for daily check-in.
The kids are asked to report on how they feel. Sometimes they are given options. Other times, Ms. Kennedy uses more metaphorical prompts. I feel like a rain cloud. A gently loved book that has accumulated dust on a shelf for ten years, only to be picked up and enjoyed by a child on a rainy day. Spearmint gum.
The prompt is not the important thing. What matters is that the child:
- Actively think about how they feel that day, and that they
- Are comfortable disclosing their feelings to the class.
Comfort is the important word in that second point. No one should feel forced to disclose a feeling that they would rather keep private. The idea, however, is to normalize mental health. Teach kids that their feelings are normal, acceptable, and important.
Daily check-ins also have the power to make intervention easier. If a child is constantly dealing with difficult feelings, Ms. Kennedy might direct them to the school psychologist.
Wellness Activities
Schools are also prioritizing wellness activities at a much higher level than before. Mindfulness. Even brief meditations or reflections in between classes. The idea is to tailor education toward complete humans—not just emphasize the intellectual needs of the student body.
Of course, there are limits. Our public school system is not going to turn into a yoga studio. But, by giving students small tools to manage and process their feelings, schools are also laying the groundwork for higher levels of productivity.
A student who feels good can do better work.
Revised Policies
Schools are also getting continuously better at recognizing the complexity of student life in the context of their policies. Where once a student who frequently lays their head down on their desk might have been punished, now they will be checked in on.
Is there a reason you are tired all the time? Do you need more rest?
Where a punishment may have alienated these students and caused them to lose confidence in their school, a little bit of support could help them get the resources they need to be more productive in the classroom.
Schools are still learning institutions, and that shouldn’t be overshadowed by progressive policies. However, by acknowledging how complex life can be, schools do a better job of meeting the needs of all of their students.
The Professionals Who Make This Work
A school is nothing without its network of dedicated professionals. Here are the people making accessible, caring school policies effective in public schools all across the country:
- Teachers: Teachers are, of course, the primary point of contact between students, families, and the school itself. Not only do they educate their students, but they also are often the first people to recognize when there is a problem that needs addressing. By checking in with their students and prioritizing their emotional wellness, educators play a major role in improving the health and safety of their schools.
- Social workers: Social workers are brought in when it appears that a student is experiencing some sort of problem. The issue could be minor—a new student who feels a bit anxious going into class each day. It could be bigger—a family within the district who has recently lost their home. Whatever the problem, social workers are there to identify the issue and apply a carefully considered solution.
- Psychologists: School psychologists are generally brought in when a student’s issue is specifically related to a mental health struggle. This could be stress, anxiety, depression, or even thoughts of suicide.
- School nurses: School nurses provide a wide range of services to the student bodies that they serve. Scraped knees and stomach aches, sure, but also bigger responsibilities. They check in with and evaluate the needs of their students in much the same way as social workers or psychologists. If they identify that a student is struggling with their mental health, they will direct them toward resources that can help. They also contribute to the overall safety of the school by managing the (quite literally constant) cycles of viral outbreaks that plague schools all over the country. It’s always flu season in middle school.
All of these professionals work together, collaborating to meet the needs of their students. Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children but aren’t quite sure where to begin? That’s ok!
Start by deciding which area of focus you are most interested in. There are great accelerated programs that will allow you to become a nurse, teacher, or social worker in a fast and convenient format that makes sense to you.
