
Being a student is stressful, but trying to juggle between school and other responsibilities while experiencing mental illness can make the mission seem impossible. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in students, with 90 percent of those committing suicide having an underlying mental illness. About 37 percent of students with a mental health issue drop out of school. Without professional mental health intermediation, children are likely to experience long reaching issues.
How does mental health affect students in school?
Mental health problems can affect a student’s energy level, concentration, dependability, mental ability, and optimism, hindering performance. Research suggests that depression is associated with lower grade point averages, and that co-occurring depression and anxiety can increase this association.
Signs of problems in school children can include:
- Feeling low
- Feeling more anxious or agitated than usual
- Losing interest in life
- Losing motivation
- Put on or lose weight
- Stop caring about the way they look or about keeping clean
- Not studying for tests
- Not doing assignments/homework
- Stop attending class
- Become withdrawn
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
- Not completing schoolwork
- Poor concentration
- Changes in sleep and eating habits
- Low energy and mood
- Panic attacks
- Absenteeism from school
- Alcohol/drug abuse
- Violence
Students, parents, and educators need to work together to alleviate the stress and anxiety that mental health problems cause.
We provide school mental wellness talks including;
- School-based counselling
- Career guidance
- Motivational talks
- Drug and alcohol awareness talks among others
