Training teachers on identification of Mental Health Issues in Students:

The general perception is that teachers should teach children how to read and write. And build the strong foundation for children to pursue higher education.

The schools' responsibility is not just to teach reading and writing. But also help children to adjust to everyday life situations. Importantly which includes social and emotional learning and wellbeing.

Most of the teacher preparation courses focus on pedagogy and curriculum. There is lot of goodness if teachers could also be prepared to understand and identify common Mental health disorders.

If a child is unable to concentrate in class, its not only because of subject being taught. But also about factors such as family situations, peer situations, career planning, genetic issues and so on.

What Is Mental Health?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

Over the course of our life, if we experience mental health problems, our thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected.

Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:

Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry.

Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse.

Family history of mental health problems.

Early Warning Signs:

Teachers should at least be trained to identify the early warning signs. In some cases there might be prevailing mental health issue among the child, and in some cases the child might start showing sudden signs of mental illness.

As per experts, the experience of one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:

Eating or sleeping too much or too little,

Pulling away from people and usual activities,

Having low or no energy,

Feeling numb or like nothing matters,

Having unexplained aches and pains,

Feeling helpless or hopeless,
Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual,

Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared,

Yelling or fighting with family and friends,

Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships,

Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head,

Inability to perform usual daily tasks.

Many countries including India now have recognised the importance of Mental health and wellbeing programs at schools. NIMHANS (National Institute for Mental Health and Neuroscience) Bangalore has also started some initiatives targeting schools.

Singapore has designed a curriculum for schools known as SEL (Social Emotional Learning).

Now it is the responsibility of the educators to strategize the programs for these kind of efforts.

Click to read the similar article:

If unable to open paste the below link to browser.

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/10/19/why-dont-teachers-get-training-on-mental-health-disorders/

Sources:

1. https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health/

2. KQED website on education

Maaz Mohammed A.Q

(The writer is a learning strategist at Ccels La Education, Bangalore)

The Blueprint for Global Learning: Aligning Outcomes, Curriculum, and Assessment for a Brighter Future:

- From the bustling classrooms of a city to the remote learning hubs across continents, education stands as humanity's most powerful tool for progress. It is the engine of innovation, the guardian of culture, and the pathway to individual and collective fulfillment. Yet, the true potential of any educational system, anywhere in the world, hinges on a fundamental, often overlooked, principle: the seamless alignment of learning outcomes, curriculum, and assessment. This isn't merely an academic ideal; it's the indispensable blueprint for designing, delivering, and systematically evaluating an education system that genuinely serves its purpose. The Three Pillars of Purposeful Learning Imagine education as a purposeful journey. Learning Outcomes are our destination . They are the clear, measurable statements that define what learners are truly expected to know, understand, and be able to do upon completing a course, a year, or an entire program. They articulate...

Acceptance is the warm embrace that tells a child, "You belong. You are enough"-

- The Echo of Belief: The Single Most Powerful Gift for a Child's Self-Esteem In the delicate, intricate process of a child's growth, while countless elements play a part – opportunities, friendships, achievements – there stands one truth above all, a singular, luminous thread that weaves resilience and confidence into the very fabric of their being. The single most important factor in maintaining a child’s self-esteem is the unwavering presence of an adult who consistently demonstrates respect and acceptance, and who provides support that powerfully conveys the message: "I believe in you." The Foundation of Respect and Acceptance Imagine a child, navigating a world filled with new challenges, unexpected failures, and a constant stream of information to process. In this evolving landscape, what they crave most, even before praise, is to be seen, to be heard, and to be accepted exactly as they are. When an adult – be it a parent, a teacher, a Mosi, or a Buwa – treat...

Classroom: A place where the primary goal is not to fill a bucket, but to light a fire-

- ### The Light in Their Eyes Do you remember it? That spark. The unbridled curiosity of a child who asks "why" for the tenth time, not to be difficult, but because their world is a universe of wonders waiting to be discovered. The five-year-old who spends an entire afternoon building a lopsided castle of mud and leaves, not for a grade, but for the sheer joy of creating. The eight-year-old who reads under the covers with a flashlight, lost in a world far beyond their bedroom walls. This is the light. It is the raw engine of passion, the bedrock of innovation, and the very soul of a lifelong learner. And I fear, with every fibre of my being, that our schools are becoming places where this light goes to die. Source: Gemini AI We have, with the best of intentions, built a system that mistakes measurement for meaning. We have created a world within classroom walls where the landscape is paved with textbooks and the horizon is blocked by the looming shadow of the next exam. Chi...

School Library suggested list for Indian schools for classes 6th to 10th standard:

## - Book Suggestions for a School Library in India for classes 6-10. Here are some book suggestions, focusing on core subjects and Indian languages, to enrich your school library: 1. Works by renowned Indian authors in various languages (Hindi, english, regional languages etc.) 2. Language Reference Books: * Dictionaries (English, Hindi, regional languages) * Thesauruses * Grammar books * English communication books * Writing guides * Essay writing books 3. Science: * Biographies of famous scientists (e.g., Einstein, Curie) * Books on specific scientific topics (e.g., astronomy, biology, chemistry) 4. Mathematics: * Mathematical puzzles and brain teasers * History of mathematics * Books on the practical applications of mathematic...

Addressing Modern Disciplinary Challenges in Schools:

- It's clear that schools today face unique disciplinary hurdles, particularly with the current generation of students. The traditional methods of lectures and assessments often fall flat, especially with boys, who seem to thrive on an activity-based approach to learning. This shift in engagement styles can make education feel like a forced endeavor, leading to a noticeable lack of interest and a decline in respect for manners and discipline. A significant concern is the limited parental cooperation. Many parents appear to feel their children are beyond their control, even suggesting corporal punishment as a solution and seemingly expecting schools to bear the sole responsibility for their children's tarbiyah (upbringing and moral development). This creates a challenging environment for educators. Compounding these issues is the evolving role of teachers. Modern educators, while dedicated, may not possess the same emotional resilience as previous generations, making it difficu...

Education themed jokes:

1. Dad puts finger print(Thumb) on son's mark sheet. Child asked father: Being a chartered accountant, Why did you put finger print instead of signature on my progress card. Father replied: idiot,after looking at your marks, the teacher should not think that I am educated. 2. Critical thinking among children: Pintu: daadi neend nhi aa rahi, TV dekh lun? Daadi: mujh se baat kr le Pintu: daadi kya hum hamesha 6 hi rahenge? Aap, mom, dad, didi, main aur meri billi Daadi: nahi beta aapke liye kal doggy b aa raha h to 7 ho jaayenge Pintu: par doggy to billi ko kha jayega fir 6 ho jaayenge Daadi: nahi beta aap ki shaadi ho jaayegi to 7 ho jaayenge Pintu: fir behen chali jaayegi shaadi kr ke to fir 6 ho jaayenge Daadi: beta fir aapka beta ho jaayega to fir 7 ho jaayenge Pintu: tb tk aap mar jaaogi to fir hum wapas se 6 ho jaayenge Daadi: Bewqauf......jaa TV dekh 3. Once upon a time ..a small boy named Basheer lived in a tin...

ಪ್ರೊ. ಕೆ. ಎಸ್. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ರವರ ಜೀವನ-

- ಪ್ರೊ. ಕೆ. ಎಸ್. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಪ್ರೊ.ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ (5 ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 1936 - 3 ಮೇ 2020) ಕನ್ನಡದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಸಾಹಿತಿಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರ ಪೂರ್ಣ ಹೆಸರು 'ಕೊಕ್ಕರೆಹೊಸಳ್ಳಿ ಶೇಖಹೈದರ ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್'. ಅವರು ಬರೆದ 'ಜೋಗದ ಸಿರಿ ಬೆಳಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಗೆಯ ತೆನೆ ಬಳುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ' ಎಂಬ ಪದ್ಯವು ಬಹಳ ಜನಪ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿ ಅವರು ನಿತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಕವಿಯೆಂದೂ ಕರೆಯಲ್ಪಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. Image source: Online typing ಜೀವನ- ಪ್ರೊ. ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ದೇವನಹಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ ೫, ೧೯೩೬ ರಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಿಸಿದರು. ೧೯೫೯ ರಲ್ಲಿ ಭೂವಿಜ್ಞಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾತಕೋತ್ತರ ಪದವಿ ಪಡೆದರು. ೧೯೯೪ ರ ವರೆಗೆ ವಿವಿಧ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಧ್ಯಾಪಕ ಹಾಗು ಪ್ರಾಧ್ಯಾಪಕರಾಗಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಿ ನಿವೃತ್ತರಾದರು. ಜನನ 5 ಫೆಬ್ರುವರಿ 1936 ದೇವನಹಳ್ಳಿ, ಮೈಸೂರು ಸಂಸ್ಥಾನ, ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಮರಣ 3 ಮೇ 2020 (ವಯಸ್ಸು 84)[೧] ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ವೃತ್ತಿ ಸಾಹಿತಿ, ಪ್ರೊಫೆಸರ್ ಭಾಷೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯತೆ ಭಾರತ ಪ್ರಕಾರ/ಶೈಲಿ Fiction ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಚಳುವಳಿ ನವ್ಯ ಕಾವ್ಯ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕೆಲಸಗಳು ಮನಸು ಗಾಂಧಿ ಬಜಾರು(1960) ನಿತ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿಗಳು ಪದ್ಮಶ್ರೀ (೨೦೦೮), ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ (೧೯೮೧) ಕೆಲವು ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯಗಳು : ನಿಸಾರ್ ಅಹಮದ್ ...

Discipline rooted in connection builds emotional safety and also encourages internal motivation:

- *“Discipline isn’t about control. It’s about connection.”* _This powerful statement shifts the traditional perspective of discipline from authority-based control to relationship-based guidance. True discipline is not about instilling fear or asserting dominance, it’s about helping someone grow by building trust, understanding, and connection._ 🧠 What It Means: • Control-based discipline says: “Do what I say, or face punishment.” • Connection-based discipline says: “I understand what you’re going through. Let’s learn from this together.” The goal is not to force obedience but to nurture self-discipline, empathy, and responsibility. 🌱 *_Example 1: A School Principal & a Misbehaving Student*_ • Control Approach: The principal suspends the student without asking why he was misbehaving. • Connection Approach: The principal calls the student in, sits beside him, and says, “You’re usually respectful. What happened today? Is something bothering you?” 🔁 *Outcome:* ...

Education system in Greece and Rome in ancient times: (In Urdu)-

یونان اور روم میں نظامِ تعلیم ڈاکٹر عرفان حبیب مغربی تعلیم کی تاریخ کا آغاز حضرت عیسیٰؑ سے سیکڑوں برس پہلے، یونانی قوم کی تعلیمی سرگرمیوں سے ہوتا ہے۔ اس تاریخ میں بیسویں صدی کی شروعات تک ایک تسلسل پایا جاتا ہے۔ ابتدائی دور میں یونانی شہری ریاستوں میں رہتے تھے۔ شروع ہی سے ان کے یہاں تعلیم کو بڑی اہمیت دی جاتی تھی۔ اچھے شہری تیار کرنے کے لیے تعلیم ضروری تھی۔ یہ ریاستیں دشمنوں میں گھری ہوئی تھیں اور اکثر اندرونی خطروں کا بھی سامنا کرنا ہوتا تھا۔ اس لیے شہریوں کی اس طرح سے تربیت ضروری تھی کہ وہ اندرونی اور بیرونی خطروں کا اچھی طرح مقابلہ کر سکیں۔ اس یونانی سماج کی بنیاد، غلامی کے نظام پر تھی جس میں غلاموں کی تعداد آزاد شہریوں سے کہیں زیادہ تھی۔ تجارت اور ہاتھ سے کام کرنے کو معیوب سمجھا جاتا تھا اور یہ کام غلاموں سے لیے جاتے تھے، اس لیے شہریوں کو کوئی ٹیکنیکل تعلیم حاصل کرنے کی ضرورت نہیں تھی۔ شہری ریاستیں کئی باتوں میں ایک دوسرے سے مختلف تھیں اور اس لیے ان کے تعلیم کے مقاصد بھی جدا جدا تھے مثلاً سپارٹا اور ایتھنز کے تعلیمی نظام بالکل الگ الگ تھے۔ سپارٹا کے شہری اپنے علاقے می...

Online Schools and eclectic curriculum:

- Online schools, while offering flexibility and accessibility, come with several disadvantages, particularly when they employ a mixed eclectic curriculum. An "eclectic curriculum" typically means drawing from various teaching philosophies and methods, aiming to personalize learning. While this sounds good in theory, in an online setting, it can lead to unique challenges. Here are the disadvantages of online school, especially one offering a mixed eclectic curriculum: I. General Disadvantages of Online School: * Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction and Social Isolation: * Reduced Engagement: Students miss out on spontaneous discussions, immediate feedback, and the dynamic energy of a physical classroom. * Isolation: The absence of in-person interaction with peers and instructors can lead to feelings of loneliness, reduced motivation, and a diminished sense of community. * Limited Social Skill Development: Opportunities for developing crucia...

Edu Research & Insights

Search This Blog