World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. This day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is especially revelant to teachers and students as it centers around young people. The theme, “Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World,” aims to bring awareness to the mental health of adolescents and young adults who are at a time in their lives when many changes occur, for example changing schools, starting university, and leaving home. While these changes may be exciting for many, they can also bring about stress and feelings of anxiety and apprehension. To learn more about World Mental Health Day and this year’s theme, visit http://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/2018/en/.
Below are further resources regarding mental health for teachers from Canadian Teacher Magazine.
“Normalizing Mental Health Talks with Students” by Joe Kim
https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2018/09/13/normalizing-mental-health-talks-with-students/
This article from the Fall 2018 issue of Canadian Teacher Magazine includes several online resources for educators looking for more information about mental health/illness. It also discusses the importance of teachers engaging in conversations about mental health with children and their parents and some approaches for having these types of talks.
“A Proactive Approach Towards Addictions and Mental Illness in the Classroom” by Allan Kehler
https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2014/09/14/proactive-approach-towards-addictions-mental-illness-classroom/
This article considers how a proactive approach towards the issues of mental illness and addictions in the classroom can change a student’s life.
“Another Young Life Cut Short” by Gu Zhenzhenis
https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2016/09/15/another-young-life-cut-short/
This reflection piece considers and ask questions about mental health from the perspective of a teacher in Toronto after experiencing the loss of her son’s former classmate.
“How Mindfulness Affected My Teaching Practice” by Amy Smith
https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2015/09/15/mindfulness-affected-teaching-practice/
Discover how the simple and free practice of mindfulness changed one teacher’s practice for the better.
“Stress-Reduction For Teachers” by Sandra Finney and Jane Thurgood
https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2018/04/15/stress-reduction-for-teachers/
In this article, the authors share some helpful practices and new thought patterns for reducing stress.
Image via the World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/posters_2018/en/
