Student Well-Being: Why Mental Health Must Come First

Student Well-Being: Why Mental Health Must Come First

[00:02:22]

Student well-being and strong mental health are essential for effective learning. This episode explores the growing mental health challenges faced by K-12 and college students globally. Rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues have surged, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent research from the U.S. Surgeon General notes a rise in mental health struggles among youth, including major depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts, compounded by increased screen time and social media use. In higher education, nearly 40% of students report conditions like anxiety or depression.

 [00:07:00]

We discuss key contributing factors to the student mental health crisis, including excessive academic pressure, economic uncertainty, political and environmental anxiety, and disrupted sleep patterns. Social media plays a significant role, as students grapple with the pressure to maintain curated online personas.

[00:15:45]

Our conversation also highlights helpful resources and organizations working to address these issues, such as HundreED’s Wellbeing in Schools project, Active Minds, and the Trevor Project. These organizations focus on integrating mental health support into education, providing vital resources, and advocating for policy change to improve student well-being.

[00:20:15]]

In the classroom, we explore trauma-informed teaching practices, mindfulness, peer support networks, and compassionate grading policies. Educators are finding new ways to balance preparing students for a tough world while creating a nurturing, supportive environment. Join us in this important conversation!

Sources & Resources:

Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory

Surgeon General Advisory Raises Alarm on Youth Mental Health

FAFSA - Wikipedia.

Well-Being Assessment - ACHA

REFERENCE GROUP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Fall 2023 - PILOT American College Health Association Well-Being Assessment

Environments to Support Wellbeing for All Students - Mental Health, Substance Use, and Wellbeing in Higher Education - NCBI Bookshelf

LET GO AND LET GROW: AN ASSESSMENT OF A SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY-BASED INTERVENTION ENCOURAGING INDEPENDENCE IN CHILDREN

The impact of income on mental health - The Lancet Public Health

HundrED Global Collection 2024

Education Innovations - HundrED

The Jed Foundation

News Articles & Press Releases from The Trevor Project

Matthew Shepard Foundation

Let Grow Mission and Values | We Believe in Childhood Independe