How does mental health impact students in schools, and what measures are schools taking to address and improve this issue?
Mental health has made a big impact on people over the years, whether it has to do with the stress of exams, assignments, or maintaining good grades, it can be very overwhelming for some students. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly 83% of teens have reported that school was a significant source of stress.
Bullying and peer pressure and negative interactions with peers, such as bullying or feeling pressured to fit in, can significantly impact a student’s mental health. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 20% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied at school during the school year. This statistic highlights the prevalence of bullying and the need for effective prevention and intervention strategies in schools.
Family issues and problems at home, such as parental conflict, divorce, or financial difficulties can affect a student’s emotional well-being. According to the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), about 20% of children in the U.S. live in homes with high levels of parental conflict. These children are more likely to report feeling stressed and having difficulty concentrating on schoolwork. Social media also plays a huge role in this. Consistent exposure to social media can lead to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression, especially when students compare themselves to others.
Lack of sleep – Many students do not get enough sleep due to academic and extracurricular commitments, which often negatively impact their mental health.
Traumatic events- experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, such as violence or the loss of a loved one, can have long-lasting effects on mental health.
Substance abuse is a very big issue as well, everyone by now should know that drug use in schools is a very big thing whether it’s Marijuana or Nicotine. The percentage of adolescents reporting they used any illicit substances in 2023 continued to hold steady below the pre-pandemic levels reported in 2020. With 10.9% of eighth graders, 19.8% of 10th graders, and 31.2% of 12th graders reporting illicit drug use in the past year, according to The latest results from the Monitoring the Future survey. Even though marijuana is making a huge impact on students in schools today, Alcohol use still remains the most commonly used substance among students. The monitoring of the Future Survey indicated that about 33% of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol in the past month. These statistics highlight that while drug use among students is a significant issue, there are various efforts and programs in place to address and reduce substance abuse in schools.
Lack of support, not having access to adequate mental health support and resources in school can exacerbate mental health issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The 2021 Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) reported that about 37% of High School students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, highlighting a need for better mental health support. While others say they feel like no one is there for them, others say that schools lack sufficient mental health professionals, with a student-to-counselor ratio that often exceeds the recommended levels.
Sources: https://nces.ed.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
https://www.apa.org/
https://www.childhealthdata.org/
https://www.nea.org/
https://www.pewresearch.org/
https://www.samhsa.gov/
https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/index.html Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
(YRBSS)
https://monitoringthefuture.org/
