Prioritizing Mental Health: Insights from Educators and Students

In today’s overwhelming world, mental health is more crucial than ever. It significantly impacts how we think, feel, and act. With high-stress levels and the pressure during our daily lives, understanding and prioritizing mental health have become essential.

Recognizing its importance can empower individuals to cope with challenges and enhance their quality of life. Taking mental health seriously is a vital step toward fostering a healthier, more supportive society. 

As the importance of mental health is being talked about in schools, insights from an educator and students talk about its significance in our everyday lives. Conversations between a student and a teacher shed light on the diverse perspectives on mental health, revealing its challenges, but also the importance of understanding and support. Their words highlight what mental health means to them. 

English teacher Christine Stebbing talks about how she would define mental health and its importance in an educational setting. 

“Mental health is just how people take care of their emotional needs in every aspect of their life, whether it’s school or their social life, workplace, family, extracurricular activities. And in terms of educational setting, I think that we have to make sure students have their mental health taken care of so that they’re willing and ready and able to learn the content that they also need here,” said Stebbing.  

In today’s world, conversations about mental health have become more important than ever. One student shares her experience of feeling comfortable discussing her mental health with friends and family, who show lots of support and understanding. 

“more comfortable with my friends because they’re going through the same things and I feel like they can relate to me, and they understand that struggle, as well as my family,” Junior Julisa Macias stated.

As we reflect on the challenges that students face in today’s educational environment, it’s important to recognize the importance of mental health and getting support. One teacher advises students who are struggling with their mental health, especially in a school environment.  

“I think maybe just getting organized, whether it’s what assignments they have due or even with their feelings, like I’m a big proponent of journaling, as corny as that might sound, I think that helps some people just to kind of organize their thoughts and their feelings. And then also just making sure that they are touching bases with people that they do trust and they know have their best interest of mind, whether it’s parents or siblings or teachers or coaches or friends,” said Stebbing