Children of our recent times are facing a tremendous amount of pressure. Be it their academics, co-curricular, extra-curricular, sports, expectations of parents and their own self-esteem to face the world; their mind is under constant pressure and stress. Demands and expectations of our education structure are increasing each passing day and it is making our children develop in a more competition-driven atmosphere than a learning-driven one. Schools often do come up with ‘Holistic Programs’ that look at students’ overall development at educational institutions. But is that enough? How is a student supposed to learn and grow if they are conscious of their shortcomings or weaknesses? More often than not, children learn at a tender age about the concept of shame. And that is exactly why they are ashamed to admit if they feel troubled at school.
TThe concept of mental health comes to remind us that it is not a child’s fault to feel any kind of emotion. Moreover, such issues tend to affect one’s youth as well if neglected at an early stage. That is why few top international schools in Hyderabad have begun running full-time counselling and mental health services to prevent them from festering. Because children spend the majority of their time in school, schools play a critical role in providing a safe, non-stigmatizing and supporting environment in which children have easy access and comfortable access to mental health programs. As pointed out earlier some top CBSE schools in Hyderabad already have ongoing programs and are developing more programs that can help students facing distress.
Factors Affecting Mental Health
WThere are several factors that can influence a student’s mental health. Let us look at some small factors briefly.Extreme Competitiveness
We are taught from a young age to do better than we can do. And our guardians are not at fault for this because they simply want us to unlock our true potential. But our tender mind is unable to grasp this fact and some children might start growing the tendency to outshine everyone else in the class. This can grow into a dangerous mindset in future and they might not always think clearly in the aftermath.Lack of Self-Confidence
Being confident is one of the most essential elements for learning and growing. A lack of self-confidence can make a child feel inferior in comparison to his/her peers. Some top international schools in Hyderabad have taken this quite seriously into their accounts. They are running several self-esteem and confidence-building services to ensure good mental health for their students.Pressure and Stress
Schedules of children are growing busier by the day. With so much on their plate, students often feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks in front of them. And they simply shy away from admitting it in front of their guardians or teachers for they fear they will let them down and/or fail.
Conclusion
What students need is an environment in their educational institution that is safe, non-stigmatizing and supportive of their condition. Depression, anger issues, substance abuse, and eating disorders are some problems that are rampant in children in their growing stages. Their problems can be curbed with the help of spreading awareness about mental illnesses, offering counselling in a safe and non-judgemental space, and designing mental health programs in collaboration with organisations that support the cause. Some top CBSE schools in Hyderabad are already taking all the steps necessary to implement an all-around developmental program for students. It is high time schools start prioritizing the mental well-being of students for their success in life.
