Read on for a basic guide to mental health as it relates to a healthy school community.

What Is Mental Health?
Mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness. A mentally healthy person has:

• meaningful and positive interactions with other people and the environment
• the ability to adapt well to change and cope with adversity
• a balance in all aspects of life, including mental, physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects

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The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

So what about schools? One way to look at mental health in schools is in the context of positive social environments. This means that schools strive to be a place where mental well-being is valued and take steps to provide an optimal environment where both physical and mental health can flourish.

What Can Schools Do to Improve and Contribute to Mental Health?
Schools are a natural place for kids to engage in activities that build their confidence and enhance self-esteem. Work with your school to ensure all students have a wide variety of opportunities to achieve success. Ask about the school’s nutrition and physical activity policies, as these healthy habits are strongly connected to positive mental health.

Here are some other ways to support positive social environments in schools:

• Encourage mental health first aid training for school staff.
• Ensure that each child has an adult at the school that they are comfortable talking to. Many schools have staff/student connection programs, peer support programs or mental health promotion programs.
• Allow room for students to express themselves and be creative. Not everyone likes basketball and not everyone likes art!
• Pay attention to bullying and relational aggression (e.g., spreading rumours, gossiping, leaving friends out of the group deliberately). Don’t sweep it under the carpet by saying something like “that’s just girls,” or “that’s just boys.” Step in and make a difference.

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Warning Signs
Creating a positive social environment is an important step. It’s also valuable to be able to recognize the warning signs of poor mental health.

Although many of the following thoughts and feelings can be normal reactions in children and youth, if they last for more than two or three weeks, they may require attention. These signs are not always easy to read, so be sure to consult with qualified mental health professionals.

Common warning signs of poor mental health in children include:

• withdrawing from social activities and/or isolating themselves
• feeling worthless or extremely guilty
• crying a lot for no particular reason
• sudden changes in behaviour and/or acting out
• experiencing severe anxiety, panic or fear
• having very low energy or having too much energy
• not sleeping or sleeping too much
• losing interest in hobbies and pleasurable activities
• having trouble concentrating or following through on plans
• declining school marks
• feeling easily irritated or angry
• seeing things or hearing voices that others cannot
• experiencing significant difficulties with peers
• being persistently preoccupied and/or repetition that is out of the ordinary
• bullying, threatening or intimidating others
• refusing to comply with authority figures

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What Can Parents Do?
Take time to regularly touch base with your child, especially as he/she gets older. This allows you to not only recognize warning signs when they appear but also to stay connected with your child. Set up regular times to meet one on one to discuss the day or week, and allow them time and space to share anything that is bothering them.

If an issue emerges, continue to talk with your child. There are a lot of places you can go for information and assistance, and professional help is available if needed.

There is no health without mental health! As with the other components of wellness, it's important to find balance in all that you do. A healthy school values mental health and encourages staff and students to watch for warning signs, maintain balance and take steps to improve the mental well-being and quality of life of students.

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Learn More

Mental Health and Wellness Services
This webpage from Alberta Health Services connects you with a wide variety of programs and services for mental health and wellness. To speak to someone on the phone, call HealthLink at 1-866-408-5465.

Alberta Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (AAMIMH)
The AAMIMH is a consortium of provincial organizations including professional associations and not-for-profit service provider organizations.

Canadian Mental Health Association (Alberta Division)
This association offers a wide variety of information on mental health. Topics include “mental health and the family” and “children’s mental health.”

Grip Magazine 
This magazine written by youth for youth deals with all sorts of mental health issues.

National Mental Health Awareness Campaign
This website for an American public education campaign has a wealth of information on mental health.