The Intersection of Learning and Mental Health: Strategies for Success

BY: Neighbors’ Consejo |

Education is more than just imparting knowledge; it is about fostering the overall development of students. However, the goal is often hindered by the invisible challenges posed by mental health issues. With anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns on the rise among students, it is essential to recognize the profound impact these conditions have on learning. The traditional focus on academic outcomes alone overlooks a critical aspect of student success: mental wellbeing.

The study “Why is cognitive ability associated with psychological distress and wellbeing? Exploring psychological, biological, and social mechanisms” affirms, “higher cognitive ability predicts lower incidence of psychiatric disorders (Batty et al., 2005) and lower levels of self-rated mental health problems, such as depressive symptoms (Khandaker et al., 2018). Cognitive ability has also been associated with higher psychological wellbeing measured by concepts such as happiness, positive affect, and life satisfaction (Ali et al., 2013). The mechanisms accounting for the associations between cognitive ability and mental health remain poorly understood. Socioeconomic factors, such as education and income, may help to explain part of the association (Ali et al., 2013).”

According to the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, “depression and anxiety affects all areas of an individual’s wellbeing including sleep, diet, mental and physical health, self-esteem, social interaction and academic performance. Students who have these disorders are at risk of suffering from poor academic performance and resistance to anything school related. This can include lack of engagement in the classroom, poor relationships with peers and teachers, and disinterest in pursuing passions and planning for the future. Their learning is also affected because anxiety and depression can impact the working memory, which makes it challenging to retain new information and recall previously learned information.”

Therefore, it is important to mention the consequences of mental health problems in students, stablished by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center:

Mental health problems can affect a student’s energy level, concentration, dependability, mental ability, and optimism, hindering performance. Research suggests that depression is associated with lower grade point averages, and that co-occurring depression and anxiety can increase this association. Depression has also been linked to dropping out of school.
Peers, family members, faculty, and staff may be personally affected out of concern for these students.
Depression and anxiety can have harmful effects of relationships and work productivity.
Suicide and suicidal thoughts can affect the larger campus community.
Roommates, peers, faculty, and staff also experience profound grief over student and suicidal behavior.

Let’s review some important data of how common mental health conditions in colleges are: “According to the study, about 77% of students experienced some kind of psychological distress, either moderate or severe. 55% experienced loneliness, and 30% had exhibited suicidal behavior.”

Anxiety: According to the ACHA report, 35% of student survey participants said they had been diagnosed with anxiety. About 77% of these students reported discussing their anxiety with a healthcare professional in the previous year.
Depression: The same report affirms that the percentage of college students experiencing depression is much higher. 27% of participating college students reported having depression, and of those students, 78% reported discussing their depression with a mental health professional.
Stress and trauma related issues: about 8% of students participating in the survey had been diagnosed with one of these stress-related disorder. Of that percentage, about 74% had discussed their disorders with a health professional in the previous 12-months.
Eating disorders: According to the ACHA survey, 7% of college students struggled with eating disorders. 56% of that percentage discussed their disorders with a mental health professional.
Insomnia: The same survey affirm, 7% of college students reported insomnia. 59% of these students reported discussing the issue with a healthcare professional.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: About 6% of college students in the ACHA survey reported struggling with OCD, and of this group, 68% reported seeking professional help within the previous year.
Bipolar disorder: According to the survey, 3% of students experienced bipolar disorder, and of that percentage. 77% reported discussing the issue with a mental healthcare professional.
Alcohol/drug abuse: In the ACHA survey, about 1% of participants reported substance abuse, and only 46% of those who reported substance abuse also discussed their problems with a mental healthcare professional in the previous 12 months.

What’s the role of teachers in supporting student mental health? “Piling more responsibilities on teachers—already stretched to the limit with overcrowded classrooms, long hours, and intense workloads—is not the answer. Ultimately, teachers should stay focused on the academic success of students, which is intertwined with emotional and psychological wellbeing, but should not be subsumed by it. Other funded structures and support must be put in place; schools and districts need counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other experts either on site, or in close partnership with local community resources. This moment demands practical changes to school structures, operations, and staffing to effectively supplement the academic and social-emotional work educators to do every day.”

How can we incorporate mental health education into schools? According to the Student Behavior Blog, Consider the 5 T’s:

Why does parent-teacher collaboration matter (and how to foster more of it)? The Lindenwood University affirms: “students’ best interest are served when there is extensive collaboration between parents and educators. When parents and teachers can communicate openly and effectively, they can work together to create a better learning environment for students while forming a united front to support educational outcomes. From establishing the right communication channels to encouraging parent involvement, there are plenty of collaboration strategies for teachers to consider in their own classrooms. For example, establishing communication channels.”

In conclusion, addressing mental health in educational settings is not just an adjunct to learning; it is a fundamental component of student success. The growing prevalence of mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and stress among students highlights the urgent need to integrate mental wellbeing into the educational framework. By recognizing the profound impact these conditions have on cognitive function and academic performance, educators, parents, and policymakers can work together to create supportive environment that promote both mental health and academic achievement.

References:

Bardon, Alley. «Why Parent-Teacher Collaboration Matters (and How to Foster More of It)». Lindenwood University Online, https://online.lindenwood.edu/blog/why-parent-teacher-collaboration-matters-and-how-to-foster-more-of-it/.

Consequences of Student Mental Health Issues – Suicide Prevention Resource Center. https://sprc.org/settings/colleges-and-universities/consequences-of-student-mental-health-issues/.

Definition of LEARNING. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/learning.

How can we incorporate mental health education into schools? Consider the 5 T’s. | Student Behavior Blog. https://studentbehaviorblog.org/how-can-we-incorporate-mental-health-education-into-schools/.

«Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Student Academic Progress». IBCCES, https://ibcces.org/blog/2019/05/01/impact-anxiety-depression-student-progress/.

Jokela, Markus. «Why is cognitive ability associated with psychological distress and wellbeing? Exploring psychological, biological, and social mechanisms». Personality and Individual Differences, vol. 192, p. 111592. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2022.111592.

Mininsohn, Sarah. «College Student Mental Health Statistics – 2024». College Transitions,https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/college-students-mental-health-statistics/.

«What’s the Role of Teachers in Supporting Student Mental Health?» Edutopia, https://www.edutopia.org/article/the-doctor-is-in-your-classroom/.