Mental Health in Education – Paradoxical Stigma and Pervasive Ignorance
- May 13, 2021
- 4 min read
Written by: Tomi Mitchell, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
My mission is to help people understand the importance of mental health and being self-aware. We all need to be able to know how we feel at any given moment. We must do this for our children and us to have a better chance at living a healthy, happy life. Unfortunately, there's so much stigma about mental illness, making it hard for people who suffer from depression or other ailments to get proper treatment. Often, these individuals may not even know how to find real solutions and strategies.
The World Health Organization estimates that up to one in five children and teenagers suffer from developmental, emotional, or behavioral problems. The WHO also reports that 1 in 8 children has a mental health disorder. The Joint Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing Report made many recommendations for actions for mental health and schools. This European report, launched in 2013, provided clear guidance. The Joint Action on Mental Health and Wellbeing Report was developed to address mental health issues in different areas. The report was designed to promote mental health at workplaces, improving care for people suffering from depression and suicide, developing community-based solutions to help those who need it most. We all must work together if we want these goals achieved.
The joint action addresses critical factors when it comes to supporting our families' well-being:
Promotion of healthy living habits across communities. Including schools and workplaces, support systems for individuals struggling with their moods or thoughts about life decisions (including suicidal tendencies).
A better understanding of how best to provide services locally will promote more social inclusion among even those diagnosed as severely mentally ill to be integrated into society again efficiently rather than being shut out of the community.
The paradoxical stigma and pervasive ignorance surrounding mental health in education have given rise to a culture of silence. Self-awareness and encouraging children to express their feelings must be enabled. It must not end there. Children must also be encouraged to discover why they feel the way they do, and as they mature, explore ways to modify these negative emotions. The discussion of mental health from childhood needs more attention. If ignored, it can have severe consequences for the mental health of students, teachers, and their families.
Mental illness can be debilitating and lead to various negative consequences, but it doesn't have to. The following are some common misconceptions about mental health that need to be refuted:
Mental illness isn't real.
You can "snap out" of depression or anxiety.
Mental illness is not as bad as physical illnesses like cancer.
People with mental illnesses are dangerous.
Air is real; even though we can not see it, the same applies to mental health. We are all aware of the long-term effects of the lack of oxygen in the human body. Likewise, everyone needs to be mindful of the long-term effects of individuals struggling with mental health. Just like people don't "snap out" of depression, individuals with a mental health diagnosis do not just "snap out" of it. Mental health is deadly. A lack of real "repeatable" strategies allows many people to go without any care whatsoever! This lack of strategy is unacceptable because it can lead to serious long-term consequences such as suicide ideation or death through suicide if left untreated.
The discussion of mental health needs to go beyond a trending hashtag or a one-time charitable event. It needs to be part of early childhood education and woven into all the years of school. As a society, mental health awareness must be incorporated into public and private policies. Mental Health frameworks must be woven into all aspects of society, whether the education system, healthcare system, criminal justice system. This support will encourage systems to foster environments where mental health and wellness thrive. When the mental health status of society thrives, society thrives as a whole.
Tomi Mitchell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Tomi Mitchell, MD is a leader in the health & wellness industry, known for her advocacy for social issues, including health reform. She believes in the whole person's approach to life and health. Rather than resorting to quick fixes, she gets to the root of problems by taking the time to understand her client's emotional, physical, mental, environmental, financial, spiritual and social health. She believes these factors affect individuals' behaviors and beliefs about themselves and others. Dr. Tomi Mitchell believes that people feel lost or overwhelmed when there is a loss of balance - which is why she takes such a holistic approach with each client's situation.
Dr. Tomi Mitchell has appeared in many publications , including , but not limited to Thrive Global, Fox, NBC, CBS, Global News, CBS & many other news outlets. She has her own blog & leads two ClubHouse clubs, and has been a guest speaker numerous times.
She is a game-changer, and she gets her clients results and refuses to compromise her integrity by sugar-coating issues. Using over 10 years as a family practitioner, and certified life & health coach, she is able to help her clients create transformational, long-lasting results!
