One of the most pressing issues of the 21st century is mental health. An overexposure to social media, increased competition, and financial instability have all contributed to a growing toll on our mental health.
Of course, tackling this is extremely important, and taking steps to improve our mental health is of the essence. Within schools especially, students should be equipped with the necessary tools that they can use to uplift their mental health – and what better time to talk about it than Mental Health Awareness month?
Here’s how you can celebrate Mental Health Awareness month in 4 easy steps:
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Hold Sessions on Stress Management
We might not realize it, but school students often experience unmanageable levels of stress. From school work to navigating new social situations to figuring out the future, a student’s life is ever changing and challenging, and this can lead to increased stress levels.
A great way to both help your students manage stress and celebrate Mental Health Awareness month is to hold stress management sessions with a psychotherapist. Not only will holding group sessions encourage students who may be uncomfortable seeking help otherwise, but it will also help communicate the message that talking about mental health is accepted and important.
To make the session interesting and engaging, you can ask the psychotherapist to utilize activities and share tips. Here, you can bring in PosterMyWall’s range of mental health templates that can be used in not just your stress management sessions, but also the other activities you plan for Mental Health Awareness month. With an easy-to-use interface, free templates, and beginner-friendly tools, PosterMyWall makes designing a breeze – and cost-effective!
2. Conduct Mindfulness Activities
Another great way to celebrate Mental Health Awareness month in your school is by conducting mindfulness activities. Mindfulness activities allow individuals to focus on where they are in the present moment and what they are feeling in that situation. As a student placed in an environment that can often be overstimulating, knowing how to engage in mindfulness is extremely important.
You can arrange activities such as yoga, breathing exercises, and even grounding. Make sure that the person conducting these activities is experienced in the subject matter and that all of your students are involved.
3. Offer Art Therapy
Who doesn’t love art? Not only is art a great creative outlet, but when practiced as art therapy, it can also be used to help manage our mental health. And since children are known for their adherence to activities such as art, this is a great form of therapy to involve them in.
Reach out to an art therapy specialist, provide them with details of your students such as their ages, and book a session – or two or three – on art therapy. Typically, this includes things such as painting, collaging, or even clay workshops all while being guided by a professional. You’ll be positively amazed at the impact that this has on your students with them appearing lighter and more in-tune with themselves.
4. Practice Gratitude
While workshops and sessions are useful, sometimes simpler methods have to be employed to teach students both the importance of their own mental health and of those around them – as well as the role they play in uplifting it.
Practicing gratitude is at the top of that list. Not only does gratitude allow us to find beauty in the simpler things in life, but it can also help pull individuals out of a difficult time once they realize the things that they can be grateful for. Within a school setting, gratitude is especially important as it teaches students to co-exist.
A simple yet effective way to practice gratitude with your students is to hold a session where each student shares five things that they are grateful for, with at least two of these things being related to other people – either fellow students or faculty. Not only will this promote a positive environment in school, but hearing themselves being appreciated by other students would also foster strong bonds.
So, if you’re looking to celebrate Mental Health Awareness month in your school, then these activities are your go to. Just be sure to accommodate individuals with specific needs and make adjustments according to your school environment, and you’ll be good to go.
