In reading Head Strong and flipping through the Ontario Ministry document Supporting Minds it became clear to me that Ontario has made mental health a priority in education, working toward awareness and acceptance while moving away from negative stigma. I think that initiatives like these are extremely important because, as educators, it is our role to help support the full development of our students, not just their academic abilities. Although I think that it is wonderful to see such a push toward including student health and well-being in the main goals of education, I begin to wonder what school must have been like for students in the past who were not able to receive the support they required. With more awareness, comes a better ability to understand and support student mental health. So, how must it have been to not have this aware and these support systems in place? This also leads me to question my ability to thoroughly support those with mental health issues. Through reading these documents, the support that is available to youth seems helpful; nonetheless, I wonder if my support with little formal training in mental health will be sufficient to provide the care some students will need. Of course, there are programs designed specifically for those who need the most help, but mental health and mental illness is a spectrum; meaning, students can face problems that are important to address but are not serious enough to be specifically designated as an “illness” that leads to specialized help. I think that as a teacher my main role will be to create a positive learning environment and supports community building, understanding and respect. By having an open atmosphere, students can learn not only how to face their issues, but also to feel more comfortable with themselves and with others, possibly helping them become more mentally healthy. In all, mental health is a component of a person’s life that must be talked about, understood and remain a focus in the education system. A student’s time at school goes well beyond learning their ABCs and mathematical algorithms. School is a place where student learning is fostered in all aspects. Students learn what they are passionate about, how to be strong and healthy individuals, and develop into the adults they will one day become. As a main force leading the students in their journey, teachers must be aware and sensitive to mental health while fighting against harmful stigma in order to ensure students are able to get the most out of their learning experience.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2017
Categories |