On Purpose: Helping Students Understand and Maintain their Mental Health

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over – and a new school year is upon us! Whether students are heading off to elementary school, high school, or college, each year brings new challenges and changes.

From sports practices to instrument lessons, new teachers and more homework, a new school year is full of excitement – and also the stress that often accompanies change.

Most children and adolescents have positive mental health, and they are usually able to navigate changes in expectations and routines effectively. But for some students, the challenges that come with a new school year may feel overwhelming. In 2019, more than 35 percent of high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless nearly every day for at least two weeks. Students who identify as LGBTQ+ and some racial and ethnic groups report even higher rates of mental health concerns, and the pandemic has worsened these outcomes for nearly all groups.

Understanding and maintaining mental health is a life-long process that is essential to health and well being. At MAMH, we believe it’s never too early to start learning how to take care of our mental health.

To get a jump start on the school year, please check out the mental health education pages on our website. These pages provide resources for students, caregivers, and others looking to learn more about K-12 mental health and common mental health experiences.

We know that resilience is possible when students have information and resources to develop their capacity for coping and thriving, even in the face of adversity. Start your journey by visiting our mental health education pages today!