Many of us may have experienced or witnessed mental health issues as students, staff or parents. Mental health has always been a topic of discussion amongst educators and students, yet many institutions struggle to provide proper support.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in four students worldwide is affected by mental health issues. And these students tend to get worse grades. With this statistic in mind, a number of colleges and universities have begun to create mental health programs aimed at improving students’ mental health and academic performance. One example of such a program is the National Alliance on Mental Illness-funded Mental Health for College Students initiative, which aims to help students with mental health issues improve their overall academic performance.

In the classroom, teachers need to be able to relate to students who are struggling. However, many teachers lack the knowledge, training, or experience in dealing with mental health issues. Here's how to start addressing the issue right away.

1. Provide Access to Counselors

Students who experience mental health issues or anxiety are twice as likely to drop out of school. With limited access to counseling services in schools, students can suffer in silence without knowing what to do.  

2. Establish a Support Group

By establishing a support group for students, colleges can provide an opportunity for students to meet with others who are experiencing similar problems, to discuss their issues with others, and to learn about the potential solutions available to them. Research has shown that student mental health programs are successful if the students who participate feel comfortable sharing their feelings. By offering students a space to connect, students can begin to form new friendships, build a support system, and begin to feel more understood.

3. Be Willing to Listen

If you are a school counselor, parent or teacher, be open to listening about the mental health needs of your students. Even if you aren’t a counselor, listen if you can. Just be careful not to let your own prejudices get in the way of listening to others. Some people just don’t like hearing bad news, and many parents and teachers have strong opinions about how to help kids with mental health issues. However, being aware of mental health issues can help you provide better care for students, while knowing how to spot the signs of a troubled child can help protect children from harm.

4. Teach Social Skills

The ability to control emotion is a critical skill that's often overlooked in school. While this may seem trivial to you, for students with mental illnesses, it's life or death. The ability to cope with stress and emotions is key to healthy mental health. These days, there's a greater emphasis on empathy and emotional intelligence than ever before. And while the exact definition of these skills varies depending on who you ask, there's no doubt they're essential.

5. Understand the Signs

We’re all human and even though we may hide our struggles, sometimes it shows. When students are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed they may show it through their actions. When someone is feeling down they may act differently than they normally would, have more difficulty concentrating, experience trouble sleeping or eat more frequently. When students are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or depressed they may show it through their actions. When students are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed they may show it through their actions.

6. Provide Opportunities to Grow and Learn

There's no need to reinvent the wheel in creating a mental health program for students. In fact, there are lots of good options already out there. Simply look around the web to see what's available and what fits into your own institution's needs. You'll be surprised to see how many resources already exist on this topic.

In conclusion, teachers are supposed to be role models. That means that when we are in front of our students, we should be taking care of ourselves so that we are present, engaged, and ready to teach. While there is always going to be a little bit of stress involved with running a classroom, there are ways to minimize those stressors and keep our mental health in check while teaching.