The mental health of students in this generation has become a pressing concern, as the modern educational system presents a new set of challenges and stressors. With the constant overload of social media and increasing academic pressures, students today feel overwhelmed, which can take a toll on their psychological well-being. Negative impacts on students’ mental health have led to many mental disorders, including: depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It is important we find ways to cope with these struggles and not let ourselves fall apart.

Why is taking care of your mental health so important?

Taking care of your mental health is important in several ways. Good mental health is essential for functioning in your daily life. Numerous studies, including research published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, have found that individuals with stronger mental health are more productive at work and make smarter decisions. It’s also proven that a balanced mental health is important for maintaining healthy relationships and social connections. Most students’ motivators to get to school every day is their social circle. If they lose their friends from not taking care of themselves, it can lead to social isolation, strained relationships, and a lower quality of life. This would only make their mental health worse and leave them with no motivators. However, these skills don’t come easy to everyone. This is why it’s important to ask for help from a friend, family member or therapist if you are struggling.

What are some ways students can take care of their mental health?

Some guides students can use to be the best version of themselves are:
Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night
Take breaks when you need them and don’t overwork yourself
Set personal goals to increase your motivation
Find ways to cope with stress, including meditations and deep breathing
Make positive affirmations every day to remind yourself of your worth
Try to engage in activities that make you laugh and bring you joy
Set boundaries and take regular breaks from your devices.
Learn time management

These are all very important steps for improving your mental health, especially for teens in this generation. But it’s also important to know that you don’t have to immediately jump into doing all of these. Take your time gradually adding these to your everyday life, and don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t do it.

What are some ways students can take care of others’ mental health?
Listen to your friends when they come to you
Make an effort to check in on your friends and classmates at least once a week
Share your knowledge of self-care practices that you may practice also
Respect your peers’ boundaries and privacy
Try to be a positive influence in their life

Sometimes students won’t come to their friends because they’re embarrassed of what they might say, since mental health isn’t completely normalized yet. So if they open up to you, try to do your best with helping them, while also reminding yourself that you matter, too. To conclude, maintaining good mental health is essential for overall well-being, physical health, productivity, and the quality of life.