As Mental Illness Awareness Week comes to a close, and in honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10th, here are some ways that educators are addressing their students’ mental health.
Screening and Prevention Programs
Many schools and educational organizations have started implementing screening and prevention programs that address students’ mental health struggles. Common screenings include questions about a student’s suicidal ideations, while prevention programs focus on teaching students how to recognize signs that their peers or themselves are struggling. These resources provide educators with a foundational understanding of the mental health struggles of their students. Learning how mental health struggles manifest in schools provides both educators and students with important tools for recognizing students who are struggling and getting them the help they need. Additionally, these tools can help identify students who are struggling in their academics and offer a solution to improving both their mental health and educational performance.
Early testing and education surrounding mental health is more important than ever. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have had significant effects on students’ mental health. In a recent study that explored students’ mental health before, during, and after the pandemic, there was a significant uptick in students reaching out for help—particularly middle grade students. The study noted that the number of self-referrals, where students could ask for help through “declaration cards,” increased post-COVID-19, with the number of self-referrals for middle schoolers increasing by 90% and high schoolers increasing by 36%.[1] These numbers indicate that students, particularly those reaching adolescence, need more resources addressing mental health in schools.
In another study researching the effectiveness of these preventative measures, researchers found that implementing mental health and suicide prevention programs in classrooms was an effective way to identify more at-risk students.[2] Screenings were able to indicate which students needed more resources outside of school, and educators were able to get them referrals and dedicated mental health support. Adding resources like screenings and prevention programs into the curriculum can add an additional strain to already underfunded and overworked school systems. However, implementing these simple tools might be the only way for disenfranchised students to get the help they need. In school systems that are at an economic disadvantage, inexpensive tools like mental health screenings can bolster equity and inclusion measures, helping students gain equal access to these important resources.
Adding Mental Health Curriculums
Other ways that educators are addressing their students’ mental health is by teaching students from a young age the necessary skills needed to mitigate the effects of declining mental health. European countries have started teaching their students certain social and emotional skills to better address their mental health struggles. In a study from six different countries, consisting of data from primary and secondary school students, researchers found that students who were taught social and emotional resilience showed a decrease in mental health challenges. The study also noted how students who are traditionally disadvantaged due to several factors, including socio-economic status and racial identity, saw a significant increase in social emotional learning skills in relation to their mental health.[3] By implementing social and emotional learning in classrooms, students are better equipped to face the challenges of life, both inside and outside the classroom.
Educators who are interested in helping their students improve their mental health can find many resources, including screenings and educational programs, online and through these studies. Using these tools can help students feel understood and less alone in their struggles, and with more education surrounding these topics, educators can help bridge the gap between students and their mental health.
Publishing Solutions Group
Publishing Solutions Group is committed to creating educational materials and supporting the improved education of all students. We partner with experts to develop the educational resources that help teachers build mentally healthy and supportive learning environments. We provide the carefully crafted content that enables educators to address critical topics, helping students build resilience for academic and personal success.
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12027138/#sec5-ijerph-22-00523
[2] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12310-025-09803-9
[3] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.925614/full#h6
