As parents, teachers and tutors, understanding the pivotal role of mental health in a child’s academic journey and recognising the signs of students who may be battling with mental health challenges is crucial. It allows us to support students’ academic performance, foster holistic development and help young people to address potential challenges early by promoting a positive and safe educational environment. 

The Importance of Mental Health and Wellbeing for Students

Challenges with mental health and wellbeing do not always mean a student or an individual has been diagnosed as having a ‘mental disorder’ or being neurodiverse. Mental health can impact anyone at any time for any number of reasons; all mental health stories are different. 

For students, a healthy mental state can contribute to improved concentration, enhanced learning abilities and increased resilience in the face of adversity and academic challenges. In contrast, neglecting mental health can lead to stress, anxiety and perhaps even more severe mental health challenges. Not only can this hinder a student’s capacity to thrive academically but it may also put their overall safety and wellbeing at risk.

A deeper level of awareness also allows partners, tutors, teachers and students to offer more support for those struggling and reduce stigma around mental health, enabling more open conversations and laying the foundations for longer-term wellbeing.

What impacts a student’s mental health?

There are a multitude of factors that can play a role in a student’s mental health and wellbeing. Students may be impacted by things like home life, social interactions, personal relationships or understanding their sexuality but a number of factors surrounding a student’s education and academic performance can also impact their overall mental health. For example:

• Exam stress or the pressure of coursework and homework deadlines can lead to heightened anxiety or sleep disturbance, impacting a student’s academic performance but also their overall mental health and emotional stability.

• Fear of falling behind in a subject or competitiveness with peers may contribute to feelings of low self-esteem and increased stress levels, which in turn play a role in a student’s mental health.

• Transition into a new school or academic year may trigger feelings of uncertainty as students navigate new environments, face unfamiliar challenges and grapple with the need to establish new social connections. This period of adjustment can affect their emotional wellbeing, potentially influencing their academic performance and overall mental health. 

• Pressure to achieve top marks – students who feel a sense of perfectionism or the pressure to meet high, ‘unattainable’ standards can contribute to heightened stress which may have a knock on effect on mental health and wellbeing.

• Peer relationships within school – it is not uncommon for students to have disagreements with peers and conflict within friendship groups can cause emotional distress and heightened anxiety, which will in turn impact mental health.

Equally, students who struggle with social interaction or have fewer relationships with peers may experience feelings of loneliness or a lack a sense of belonging which plays a role in their mental wellbeing.

• Social media – the constant presence of technology and social media in young peoples’ lives today can add layers of complexity to the student experience, potentially exacerbating feelings of isolation and inadequacy.

Identifying Students Who Are Struggling

You don’t need to be an expert in mental health and wellness or child psychology to be able to recognise the signs of a student who is struggling. 

Simply having an awareness of indicative red flags can be a step in the right direction to providing a student with the support they need. The following are some common signs to look out for, though this is not an exhaustive list as students will each process their feelings differently.

• Academic Decline – Some students struggling with their mental health may have a sudden drop in grades or a noticeable decline in academic performance. This could be on account of loss of motivation, disengagement with a subject or school as a whole, lack of sleep or simply excess stress. A decline in academic performance can be indicative of underlying mental health issues so this is worth noting if you spot this in your child or student.
• Changes in Behaviour – Drastic changes in behaviour, such as increased irritability, withdrawal from social activities or a loss of interest in previously enjoyed pursuits may also be a signal of emotional distress and struggles with mental health and wellbeing.
• Physical Symptoms – Frequent headaches, stomach aches or changes in sleeping patterns can be physical manifestations of mental health challenges so parents, teachers and tutors should take note of physical symptoms that persist.
• Social Withdrawal – Mental health challenges can contribute to social withdrawal which can impact both the emotional and academic aspects of a student’s life. If a student is feeling overwhelmed, anxious or is experiencing feelings of inadequacy or negative self-perception, they may isolate themselves from peers, making it difficult to collaborate on group projects or engage in discussions. 

Methods to Support Students’ Mental Health

Parents, teachers and tutors play vital roles in supporting students struggling with their mental health and fostering a positive and safe environment for them to work through these challenges. There is a not a one size fits all approach to tackling students’ mental health and helping to improve their wellbeing but there are various methods parents and tutors can explore:

• Open communication – It is important to create an open dialogue and a safe environment where children feel they can openly discuss their emotions and the challenges they are facing without fear of judgement. 

Without the ability to express these concerns and feelings, students may suppress these emotions which can lead to increased stress, anxiety and a decline in mental health and wellbeing. So having an open forum to communicate with you can be a huge weight off their shoulders and allows you to best support them.

• Liaise with school safeguarding teams – Every school will have safeguarding measures and teams in place to help support students who are struggling with any number of challenges, mental health and wellbeing one of them. 

For parents, it is worth familiarising yourself with who the best point(s) of contact are at your child’s school so you can discuss any concerns openly with the team as well as a plan to ensure your child has the necessary support both at home and at school. 

Equally, it can be worth communicating any concerns or agreed next steps with the school to a child’s tutor. Tutors will always tailor programmes to a student’s individual needs so they will be able to adapt sessions to ensure they are in turn supporting your child’s mental health and wellbeing and fostering a positive learning environment that still helps them progress.

• Educate on Stress Management – Sharing stress management techniques with students such as mindfulness and meditation, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and deep breathing exercises can help alleviate stress and support mental wellbeing. Equipping students with effective time management skills can also give students a greater sense of control over their academic responsibilities, helping to further reduce stress.

• Flexibility with deadlines – Deadlines are of course an important part of a student’s education and some, like those mandated by exam boards, will have no flexibility. But, where possible, we encourage teachers and tutors to consider whether any deadlines may have flexibility to help reduce stress and anxiety for students known to be struggling with their mental health as they navigate these challenges.

• Encourage Healthy Habits – Promote a balanced lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a nutritious diet and adequate sleep, as these factors significantly impact mental health.

Exercise promotes the release of mood-enhancing endorphins; a balanced diet supports optimal brain function and quality sleep is crucial for cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing. Collectively, these healthy habits all play vital roles in maintaining and improving mental health.

These habits also include regular periods to relax. Conflicting exams, homeworks, assignments and subjects can be overwhelming for students and it’s very easy to become hyper focused on studies that you leave very little time to switch off. Taking time off from study allows students to recharge, reducing stress and preventing burnout which is crucial for maintaining mental health, enhancing focus and promoting overall wellbeing.

• Seek Professional Support – if a child’s signs of mental health struggles persist, seeking professional guidance and further support from counsellors, psychologists or mental health experts can provide targeted assistance. Recommended contacts can be found in the useful resources section at the end of this post.

Investing in a student’s mental health is crucial for their future success and happiness. By developing an understanding of mental health, the common triggers and management techniques, educators can make a significant difference for those struggling and foster a supportive environment that empowers and supports students as they navigate academic challenges.

Please note this blog post is simply a guide to understanding students’ mental health and wellbeing, and initial recommendations to help support them on their journey. For suggested contacts for detailed, expert advice and confidential support, please see the useful resources section below or contact your GP. 

++

Useful resources:

• For students aged 11-18 years old who may be struggling with their mental health and wellness, charity ‘Mind’ has a comprehensive list of recommended organisations, services and helplines that can offer support and information. 

• For students entering into higher education or adults who need support with their mental health, visit Mind’s university student page or the NHS Mental Health Helpline.

The post The Crucial Role of Mental Health and Wellbeing for Students appeared first on Hampstead and Frognal Tutors.

But rest-assured that there are simple techniques and tips you can put into place to help make the transition from year 6 to year 7 that much easier for your child and ultimately help ease the transition into secondary school so they can hit the ground running.

Over the summer holidays

We know everyone wants to spend the summer holidays relaxing rather than thinking about school. While we agree that both children and parents are entitled to some well-deserved rest, the holidays are the perfect opportunity to start putting systems in place to help your child as they enter secondary school.

Socialise with other parents

While it can be tedious to be in yet another group chat, we encourage both parents and children to join relevant group chats and network with other parents and peers respectively. 

For children it ensures they have the chance to start building relationships with future classmates over the summer and haven’t been left out of conversations by the time school starts.

For parents it serves as an opportunity to connect with other parents and ensure you’re always abreast of what’s going on once the term commences, whether it’s social activities or school events. It also means you can lead the charge with setting up meetups on behalf of your children over the summer to help them make that first step with forging new friendships.

Adjust to new patterns ahead of time

A big challenge for young people starting secondary school can be adjusting to the intensity of having so many subjects, moving between lessons, with earlier starts and later finishes. This shift can leave many children feeling exhausted so we recommend getting back into the swing of school sleeping patterns in the final weeks of the summer holidays to ensure children are well-rested ahead of the new term and are used to going to bed and getting up at reasonable times. 

Familiarise yourself with the route to school

If your child is due to take public transport to their new school in September, it can be worth practising the route a couple of times over the summer holidays so they’re familiar with the journey and confident navigating their way to and from school when September comes around. This could be driving the bus route so they can identify landmarks along the way and knowing where to get on and off, or practising the tube journey ahead of time.

If it’s feasible, it can also be reassuring for a parent or trusted person to put a child on the bus or tube on their first day (or even follow behind the bus or in the tube carriage behind) so they have the reassurance that if anything goes wrong or they feel nervous, someone’s right there. 

Be prepared

Make sure you have purchased all the necessary uniform and equipment for your child well in advance of the term starting. While missing items may seem a minor detail and something most teachers will be understanding of, not having the right uniform or equipment for school can make a child feel like the odd one out and only fuel any anxiety during an already challenging time, so we recommend getting on top of this early. In fact, if you can, make it one of the first things you do in the Summer holidays to ensure you have time to source any hard-to-find items.

Most schools will send round a full equipment and uniform list in advance of the school year but there are also examples publicly available to give you some guidance.

Whether it be a bus pass or a loaded oyster card, be sure to also line up relevant travel passes for your local area so your child is ready to go on their first day. Providers will likely be shared by your child’s school or you can apply for a zip oyster to grant free travel for under 18s in London.

Once the new term begins

Pack bags the night before

One of the biggest changes for children starting secondary school is adjusting to having 11 subjects or more. This can be overwhelming for children in the first few weeks or months and there’s nothing more overwhelming than realising you’ve forgotten something critical for the lesson. 

A simple step parents can take to help mitigate the risk of this happening is to keep tabs on timetables and make sure your children have all the necessary books and equipment packed the night before. 

No harm in being early

While your child may grumble at you for getting them out of bed ‘earlier than absolutely necessary’, turning up at the bus stop or train station a little early avoids any risk of them missing their ride to school and causing them anxiety during an already stressful time.

Find opportunities to forge new friendships

Established friendship groups may have splintered off to go to different schools and even if some of your child’s existing friends are also going to the same secondary school, you may find they end up in different form groups. 

Remind your child that a new school offers an opportunity to make new friends in addition to their primary school friends and having multiple social circles can never be a bad thing.

Reminder that some things are out of their control

We’ve all experienced a bus breaking down or a train being delayed at some stage in our lives but when you’re going through the transition from year 6 to year 7, the stress you feel during these scenarios is exacerbated.

Remind children that these things are out of their control and that they needn’t worry as they delay will be communicated to the school and will therefore be excused, and that everyone on that same form of transport, will be experiencing the same challenge.

Schools will also have plans in place

All schools will have plans in place to help children adjust to secondary school and make new friends. This may be the likes of induction days, social and extracurricular activities or team building activities for new students to name a few but don’t forget schools are well-equipped to manage the transition from year 6 to year 7.

A planner is your best friend

Organisation is such a key factor in managing the transition from year 6 to 7. Parents that engage with the planner will find it easier to help their children manage workload and stay abreast of any upcoming trips or even messages and feedback from teachers as the term starts. If there are any issues or areas for development in certain subjects, then this is likely where teachers will flag things ahead of parents evenings, meaning you have time to figure out a plan or engage a tutor in the interim to help support your child’s learning.

Ongoing support throughout year 7

Keep communicating

Sometimes children struggle to express their feelings or concerns and bottle up anxiety about starting a new school. This may manifest itself in unusual behaviours like being uncharacteristically quiet or perhaps bursts of anger but it’s important to encourage children to talk openly about any feelings they may be harbouring so you can get to the root of the issue and help them tackle it. 

A good way to initiate these conversations may be to draw upon the experience of an older relative, friend or even your own experience of feeling nervous before starting a new school and how you overcame those doubts to help them recognise it’s perfectly normal to feel nervous going into year 7.

Take an active interest in your child’s day

Even though life gets busy, once the new term starts, make sure to find time in your day chat to your children about how their day was. Hopefully they’ll share back largely positive experiences but even a simple “how was your day?” provides a forum for them to feed back on any elements of secondary school they’re less keen on or struggling with. 

Depending on the issue your child is facing (if applicable), you can then connect with teachers, a student support team or engage a tutor to help tackle any difficult areas early on. It also gives you the chance to celebrate positive aspects of their transition into year 7.

Liaise with the school

If you suspect your child may be struggling with workload or the transition from year 6 to year 7, then speak to your child’s Form Tutor or Head of Year. Most schools will have experts on hand and systems in place to help with managing mental wellbeing and stress to try and make your child’s first year of secondary school as smooth and as positive an experience as possible.

For young girls, entering puberty can also be an additional factor of stress so establishing a tutor or ‘buddy’ they can turn to with questions or worries about this during the transition into year 7 will be a huge help.

Useful resources

Example equipment list

TFL 11-15 Zip Oyster cards

The post Helping Children With The Transition To Year 7 From Year 6 appeared first on Hampstead and Frognal Tutors.