Dr. Samir Parikh, Fortis Healthcare shares that children’s mental health can be affected due to parental pressure, academic performance, relationship issues After a recent health survey mental health of students – which highlights exams and peer pressure as some of the major factors leading to stress and anxiety among students – National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT ) has issued guidance for schools to protect Better protect students’ mental health. Speaking about how schools are supposed to be a safe and secure environment for students, who spend a third of the day and 220 days of the year in school, the guidance emphasizes that “it is the responsibility of the school is to ensure the safety, security, health, and well-being of all children in schools and dormitories. They added that teachers must be trained to identify early signs in students of attachment problems, separation anxiety, school refusal, communication problems, anxiety patterns , depressive states, behavioral problems, intellectual disabilities, and more.
Source: School Student Mental Health and Well-Being Survey, 2022
‘Family and peer pressure, low self-esteem are some of the problems students face’
From worrying about academic performance to dealing with family and peer pressure, here are some of the issues school-age children face, according to mental health experts. “Students, especially adolescents, face many stressors from many areas. Changes in the mind and body, changes in personality, changes in social motivation, interests and additional learning needs all have a collective impact on their overall health. Some of the most common problems faced by students include ideological differences and challenges in communicating with parents, peer pressure, personality changes leading to increased aggression, mental health problems, and behavioral problems. problems with self-esteem and confidence, problems with sleep and appetite, anxiety and panic attacks, and learning difficulties. attention and concentration,” shares Dr. Ruchi Sharma, Consultant Psychiatrist, Manipal Hospital Ho Chi Minh City, Dwarka.
‘Cooperating with parents, sensitizing them is also very important’
Moly Suryawanshi, HOD Wellness, Ridge Valley School emphasized that mental health is an integral part of a child’s overall health. “A child spends nearly a quarter of the day at school with educators and friends. School is the second safe space that a child creates in his mind after home, and teachers are the second protector after his parents. Therefore, it is important that schools ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for each child. It can be difficult to know whether a child’s problematic behavior is just part of growing up or an issue that needs to be discussed with a mental health professional. But the most common problems that emerged were related to separation anxiety and concerns about excessive Internet use, which results in poor concentration and poor self-regulation. can be inattention, hyperactivity, poor executive function and affected communication skills. . We work extensively in identifying these early signs and in partnership with the parent body, sensitize them and create a unified emotionally uplifting environment for each child. From one-on-one intervention to sensitive discussions between educators and parents to cognitive behavioral therapy, it all comes together to support children in regaining social-emotional balance,” she said. speak.
Pandemic adds stress to students: Parents
Getting used to online learning during the pandemic and then having to return to the classroom now also adds to students’ stress levels. Sushma Rajput, parent of a Grade 9 student, shares, “The way the classroom operates has changed many times over the past two years. With pressure from academics and peers, the pandemic has also increased anxiety among students.” The NCERT guidelines also mention the need for schools to establish mental health advisory boards and school-based mental health programs, and provide pedagogical support to ensure well-being. student morale, while engaging parents.‑ Input from PTI
‘Mental health needs to be a priority’
