Here’s what a mental health informed school looks like and why it matters.
You might know that mental health matters if you want to live your best life. But why does it matter in schools?
At Momentous Institute, we believe every student can benefit from a mental health informed education. This starts with teaching students important life skills, but it’s also about creating an environment that supports the mental health of the whole school community.
Prioritizing mental health in schools means setting up classroom spaces to promote wellbeing, helping students build strong relationships with their teachers and peers, and building a community of support. Let’s explore what a mental health informed school actually looks like and why it matters.
1. Mental Health Informed schools provide a safe environment for students to learn and grow.
A mental health informed classroom starts with the physical environment. This includes providing flexible seating and lighting options, and offering a variety of spaces, like a calm down area where students can go when they’re feeling overwhelmed. It also means displaying student work and giving them responsibilities in the classroom, which gives them a sense of ownership and belonging in the space. All of these intentional efforts can make a big difference in how comfortable kids feel at school.
It’s not just about the students, though. Schools that prioritize mental health know that teachers need support, too. When schools give teachers the resources they need to take care of themselves, it allows them to create the best environment for their students, too. When met with challenging behavior, these teachers can lead with empathy, assume positive intent and chase the why to get to what’s really going on when a student is acting out. This leads to better learning for all students.
2. Mental Health Informed schools help students build strong relationships with others.
Safe relationships are the foundation for learning skills that lead to better mental health. Teachers at a mental health informed school understand this. And they can be a model for students of what a trusted adult looks like. For some students, this may be one of the few, or sometimes only, examples of a safe relationship in their lives.
When students understand what a healthy relationship looks like, it also helps them connect better with one another. They can learn how to manage their actions and reactions, control their impulses, and start to understand different perspectives and show empathy toward others. These are skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.
3. Mental Health informed schools provide a community of support.
Schools act as an important gateway to a broader community of support around mental health needs. Beyond the classroom, mental health informed schools offer mental health services that benefit the entire family. Along with in-school counseling, they can help connect families with other mental health resources and professionals within their community.
When students and their families feel supported by the school in this way, it has a ripple effect. This leads to better student behavior and participation in the classroom. This is a win for everyone in the student's life: their families, their peers and their teacher.
4. Mental Health informed schools lead to more academic success.
Supporting mental health in schools benefits everyone involved. Stronger mental health can improve student behavior, increase engagement and build better relationships. On top of greater wellbeing, this also leads to more academic success.
Prioritizing mental health in schools isn’t just good for students, it’s good for the entire school community. When schools support student wellbeing, they create a place where learning can flourish. Equipping students with the skills they need to face challenges, maintain healthy relationships and thrive long after they’ve left the classroom.
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