Excerpt from
the latest issue of Canadian Psychiatry Aujourd'hui:
Mental health problems are the single most
disabling health disorder affecting young people, according to the World Health
Organization. In fact, about 15 to 20 per cent of children and adolescents in
Canada are suffering from some form of mental disorder.
The
adolescent years are thus a critical window in which mental health can be
promoted and problems can be addressed in a manner that will improve mental
health and de-stigmatize mental illness. Within
the “average" classroom, three to four students will suffer from some form
of mental disorder, making schools an ideal place to address mental health
promotion, introduce targeted mental health interventions and stigma reduction,
as well as address the linkage between mental disorders and learning. Many
schools, particularly at the post-secondary level, are trying their best to
help their students recognize and address problems. Early identification of
mental health issues is an important first step. If left untreated, they can
affect student success in three major ways. First, mental disorders affect the
emotional well-being of students. If left untreated, they can hinder a young
person’s social development, leaving them feeling isolated, stigmatized and
unhappy. To deal with these problems, some may turn to socially or personally
inappropriate methods of coping, such as violence, drugs or alchohol. Mental
disorders may also impact a young person’s capacity to develop and keep a
strong and supportive peer network, including positive relationships with
adults. Second, mental disorders may present considerable barriers to learning
since most mental illnesses are characterized by unique learning challenges.
Studies have shown that poor social-emotional functioning and difficulty
meeting academic standards are two common obstacles for students with mental
disorders. Some illnesses, such as learning disabilities and attention deficit
disorder, present distinct challenges to successful learning. These problems can
then continue as young people transition to the workplace, thus decreasing the
likelihood of vocational success. And third, mental disorders are a factor in
why some students drop out of school. About 15 per cent of youth attending
post-secondary school drop out before finishing their program (Statistics
Canada, 2004). Students cite many reasons for dropping out of school, but near
the top of the list are reasons relating to their mental health. Sadly, many of
these dropouts could be prevented with early and effective interventions. When
you combine these issues with all of the other social and academic pressures
facing young people, it is no wonder that some students find the transition
from secondary school to college or university to be difficult. The transition
into a new educational and social environment can create stress that some
students are ill-equipped to manage. Moreover, the period between the ages of
18 and 25 is the time when many mental disorders, such as depression, psychosis
and anxiety disorders, first present. All of these factors (and others) can
affect the transition to college or university for some students. So what can
be done?
Read the rest of the article on
Canadian Psychiatry Aujourd'hui More
info: Teenmentalhealth.org - Transitions: Student Reality Check University Affairs article Collegiate mental health gets abetter exam
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