al kingsley Netsupport, Chairman of a multi-academy trust in the UK, technical writer, speaker and author of several education books.
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Mental health in education is the topic of the moment, and rightly so. Since the pandemic lockdown, students of all ages have been struggling to return to “normality”. Many are staying away from education with anxiety and other issues, and are also facing pressure to “catch up” and “get back to normal” as if nothing ever happened.
As adults, and with our worldly experience, it is often difficult to manage our mental health. Young people have not yet had a chance to learn all the skills that can help them navigate and overcome extraordinary circumstances in their lives; They can’t just flick the switch when, in fact, everything has changed for them.
a daily occurrence
Talking openly about mental health in education to normalize it and reassuring any young people with problems that they are not alone is fundamental if students are to take this idea forward in their own lives. And we Are Seeing that happens now.
A recent mental health survey by NASPA and Uwill found that 93% of college leaders from more than 130 institutions agreed that students have become more comfortable discussing their mental health over the past five years—a seismic culture shift that has Will ultimately benefit everyone, be it education or work.
role of technology
Technology has been a big part of these developments. Not only is it helping to reduce the stigma of mental health, but it is also stepping up to support, train and connect young people with its many self-help applications. Let’s take a look at some of the top ones.
1. Social Media
Social inclusion is an essential component of well-being, yet social media gets a lot of negative press – often for good reason. However, it does have a positive side: its ability to connect people who are struggling. Reading posts written by people from all walks of life talking freely about their issues lets people know that these difficulties are common and eases the isolation they feel.
Relying on social media for this kind of support is certainly not ideal. This is a tricky move, as people can find annoying or triggering content with posts from which they are gaining strength. There is also the addictive nature of “chasing a choice”. It has been shown to be detrimental to a person’s mental health, so those in the education sector should consider how to use social media as a support mechanism in moderation.
2. Mental Health App
We all love apps, and there are tons of apps available to manage or take charge of mental health and wellness. Whether it’s for a guided meditation that provides daily affirmations or having a favorite as a source of support can help keep well-being on track.
Wearable devices are popular and are often combined with apps to help a person connect with their physical and mental health. It’s no secret that exercise can help with both. The mindset around it is changing, and doctors have shifted from prescribing medicines to exercise for physical and mental health over the past few years. Data generated by wearable devices can support this and help strike a balance by widening the focus of the individual to focus on health holistically.
3. Virtual Therapy
For people in crisis, there is no substitute for talking to a mental health professional. Still, access is a real problem in many parts of the world. In some countries, you might finally be able to get a telephone consultation or make an online appointment for a video call, but in other countries, these are also in short supply.
The campus is a place where there is an acute need for immediate mental health support. Students may face a number of issues, which can potentially develop into problems if they do not get timely support. They may be living away from home for the first time. They may also have housing, financial, relationship or employment concerns or may face peer pressure and feel the weight of academic expectations. It can all escalate quickly, leaving students feeling alone, powerless and unable to cope.
Two key factors supporting student well-being in education institutions are awareness and timely support – and many are now investing in initiatives such as free mental health screenings, employing on-site professionals or technology solutions that allow quick access to support. provide convenience. ,
The future of mental health tech
Virtual reality has emerging possibilities in many areas, including mental health. A virtual support group where you can attend with others but do so in secret holds huge appeal for some. The flip side, however, is that, like social media, virtual environments can be addictive. They can also trigger additional problems, such as withdrawing too much into the virtual world or confusing real and virtual life.
Even as technology evolves, the stigma surrounding mental health is diminishing, but the problem is not. While there is still much to investigate and refine, technology approaches to mental health support are evolving all the time. With so much potential to broaden access to support, its role in helping to build a healthier society in the future could be significant.
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