The Connection Between Mental Health and Academic Success

Mental health issues of adolescents have a huge impact on their schooling, specifically their academic achievement. If left unaddressed, it can create major lifelong consequences such as low self-esteem, depression, and struggles with socializing.

Luckily, early detection of mental health issues along with individualized support can help combat this issue. Hence, as parents and educators, it becomes necessary to identify these challenges and practice relevant approaches to support the mental health development of students.

Identifying Mental Health Issues in Students

Mental health experts at schools can utilize a lot of strategies to identify the mental health concerns of students. Systematic mental health screening, discipline referrals, and teacher referrals are some of the practices that involve minimal time and identify major behavioral concerns in students.

Parent, teacher, and student questionnaires are another approach that can help determine internal feelings like depression or anxiety. In addition to this, parents and educators can consider watching the following symptoms in children.

• A sudden change in the assignment quality

• Performance and test anxiety

• A sudden decline in grades

• Low tolerance power

• Higher irritability

• Concentration issues

• Loss of interest in hobbies

• Trouble eating, sleeping, and socializing

• Having self-doubt

Relation Between Mental Health and Academic Success

When students are highly stressed mentally, they tend to experience learning disabilities. These learning disabilities directly or indirectly impact the academic performance of the students.

For example:

• Students with learning disabilities experience mental health challenges at a higher rate than their peers who are mentally healthy.

• 30-40% of students with ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have reading difficulties.

• Adolescents with depressive symptoms are likely to face difficulties academically and students with learning issues are more likely to exhibit depressive symptoms.

• A large number of students with learning issues witness higher anxiety problems than those without learning issues, with reading and anxiety disorders.

• Collectively, depression, anxiety, and ADHD are the highest in students with learning issues.

Based on the above-mentioned facts, it seems that the relationship between academic achievement and mental health is a two-way process. Students with mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, have bad cognitive health and distract quickly from learning. Moreover, mental health issues can lead to persistent feelings of low self-esteem and failure resulting in academic challenges.

Ways to Support Mental Health Development

Some of the supportive measures that mental health experts can implement to support students’ mental health are,

1. Schools can set up a stigma-free study environment and openly discuss mental health concerns.

2. Relaxation and coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and mindfulness-based learning techniques can be incorporated into the school lessons.

3. School counselors can help students in developing their social and learning skills.

4. Individualized or group-based support can be practiced to support students’ health.

5. Quality sleep, a well-rounded diet, and therapeutic services can be practiced at home to improve the mental health of students.

CIEES understands the significance of addressing mental health issues in school. With empathetic and supportive education, it is possible to address all needs of the students. If you also want to contribute towards a brighter future for students as a mental health professional, check our portal for Virginia department of education jobs. Our VA learning center offers rich resources to mental health experts. We are a leading career center for school mental health professionals. Reach out to us now.