World Mental Health Day 2024: How to talk to students about feelings and wellbeing

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, where the World Health Organisation (WHO) raises awareness of mental health to support people around the world with their recognition, understanding, and access to treatment for mental health.

Mental health is a pressing concern in society right now. Even before the pandemic, 1 in every 8 people reported experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental disorders. One year after Covid, the WHO estimates a 26% rise in cases of anxiety and a 28% increase in the numbers of people with serious depression.

Young people are particularly susceptible to poor mental health. In fact, the US Department of Health and Human Services has reported a significant increase in young people struggling with their mental health in recent years. 

The good news? Teachers have a chance to make a difference. Wellbeing has to be an ongoing conversation in classrooms and beyond, and World Mental Health Day 2024 can be an opportunity to contextualise the topic, and leverage WHO resources. 

Why is mental health education important for young people?

Young people can be especially vulnerable to problems with their mental health because they typically deal with a lot of change, especially during adolescence. Exam stress, leaving home, entering the workforce and the pressure of social media all take their toll. 

According to the World Health Organisation, 50% of all mental illness begins before the age of 14. Even worse, many cases are not detected or treated. 

Young people are in a crucial stage of learning how to emotionally regulate. Having safe, open spaces to discuss mental health can prevent lifelong mental health conditions, plus foster a group of young people who know how to care for themselves, their peers, and future generations.

Support students with anxiety

Reports show that more than 20% of young people worldwide now struggle with anxiety symptoms. As a teacher, spending nearly a third of the day with students, you can hold conversations around what anxiety is, what signs of it are, and what support is available.

The more there are open, honest conversations about anxiety, the more students can be aware of symptoms in themselves and others, and access treatment or coping mechanisms.

Follow these steps to best support students with anxiety. 

Prioritise student happiness

People with higher happiness levels are less prone to mental health disorders. In the classroom, you can talk to students about why happiness is important, and how to help students feel happy. You can also address that happiness can’t always be maintained, but that that’s OK.

Learn how to make student happiness a priority. 

Teach students how to manage their feelings

Young people are constantly learning how they feel, and how to manage those feelings. They’re getting to grips with new concepts, plus are learning to deal with exam stress, and making mistakes.

Having conversations about how to tolerate frustration and learn to regulate their emotions can help students to develop life skills, as well as benefitting their academic performance.

Read why your students need to learn frustration tolerance and how to teach your students emotional regulation. 

Help students cope with exam stress

Exam stress can affect mental health, in some cases triggering anxiety and depression. Talking about exam pressure should be a year-round topic, so that students are equipped with tools and advice to follow if they start to feel overwhelmed by homework, deadlines and the workload that goes along with preparing for exams.

Find out how to help your students cope with exam stress. 

Promote kindness in the classroom

Kindness and mental health are deeply connected – being kind can reduce isolation and stress, and boost confidence and friendships. In the classroom, it’s also an antidote to bullying or harmful behaviours that children experience. 

These tips tell you how to promote kindness in your classroom.

Be aware of the challenges of neurodivergence 

Undiagnosed neurodivergence can contribute to poor mental health. As a teacher, it’s not your role to diagnose students - but if you are aware of common challenges for students with ADHD or autism, you’ll be able to make small changes to accommodate student needs. 

Find out more about how to support ADHD students in the classroom, and learn about strategies you can use to teach children with autism. 

Teach emotional literacy

One of the most valuable tools teachers can share with students for their mental health is emotional literacy. Reading and writing across themes and with diverse stories enables young people to develop empathy, as well as comprehend their own experiences and feelings through narratives. Along the way, they can also pick up vocabulary that allows them to more accurately identify their emotional states.

Take a look at how reading helps students deal with stress and uncertainty.

Practise active listening 

Active listening is an effective skill that helps speakers feel valued and understood. When students sense that their teacher is genuinely interested in their thoughts and experiences, it fosters an emotional bond that can enhance both their well-being and their overall school experience.

Learn more about how active listening can help you support and connect with your students. 

Make mental health a regular topic in your classroom 

World Mental Health Day is just one day, so it’s important to extend conversations about mental health and wellbeing beyond October 10. 

The ripple effect of students talking about their feelings is huge – although it may not be immediately visible, it gives students the knowledge and resources to take care of themselves and others.