As the youth mental health crisis continues, a growing number of children, teens, and young adults are experiencing distress. More than 40 percent of high school students report feeling sad or hopeless, and 60 percent of college students meet the criteria for one or more mental health problems. Moreover, the suicide rate for ages 10 to 24 years old increased by 57.4 percent in the US over the past decade, according to CDC data.
Teachers, professors, and school administrators are often the first to recognize a student’s need for mental health support, particularly when young adults are in college away from home. The warning signs might appear to be academic issues, like missing assignments or doing poorly on a test. Or they might be more overt, such as falling asleep in class or showing inappropriate distress or anger in a class discussion.
School professionals can make a life-saving impact for young people by supporting student mental health in general and on an individual basis.
Supporting Mental Health in the Classroom
Here are some ways teachers and professors can promote well-being for their students.
Establish a classroom environment that prioritizes mental health.
Let students know that their well-being is a priority for you, and that they can come to you if they are having a hard time. You can state this at the beginning of the semester, and also include a message of this nature in written materials, like a syllabus or other handouts.
Make conscious choices to support student well-being.
Do what you can to reduce stress on students, within the parameters of your educational institution. This might mean incorporating a few moments of movement or mindfulness into each class, to setting deadlines that won’t coincide with other high-pressure events in school or on campus.
Familiarize yourself with the mental health services available at your high school or college.
These might include a high school guidance counselor or other mental health support staff, a college counseling center, tutoring services, specific support for neurodiverse students, resources for BIPOC students, and/or mental health centers and providers in the community.
Reach out to students you’re concerned about.
Learn the signs that indicate a student might be struggling and find a time to speak with them outside of class. (We provide warning signs and conversation starters below.) A school professional’s role is not to try to fix a student’s problems—unless they are academic issues that are within your purview—but rather to listen and to connect students to mental health resources if needed.
10 Signs That a Student Is Struggling
Here are 10 signs teachers and professors might notice in the classroom. These red flags indicate that a student may be experiencing a mental health issue such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder.
- Inappropriate or aggressive behavior in class
- Not participating in class discussions
- Changes in personal hygiene
- Seeming tired all the time, falling asleep in class
- Repeated absences
- Inability to concentrate
- Not handing in assignments
- Writing about suicidal thoughts or other troubling content in classwork
- A sudden drop in academic performance
- Extreme anxiety about schoolwork or exams
If you’re seeing these signs in one or more students, find a time to speak with them privately outside of class.
How to Start the Conversation with a Student
The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit that works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for young people, works closely with high school and colleges their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. In their guides for school professionals, JED provides scripts for approaching students in an appropriate and compassionate manner. Here are some of their suggestions:
Ways to approach a struggling student:
- “I’ve noticed you’ve seemed a little down lately, so I wanted to check in with you. What’s been going on?”
- “I noticed you missed class a few times. What’s going on for you?”
- “You seem really tired in class lately. How are you doing these days?”
Ways to respond when a student shares their struggle with you:
- “Thank you for sharing this with me. There’s good support on campus—I’ll help connect you to it.”
- “I am so glad you told me. I am here for you, and I want to make sure you are safe. I am going to introduce you to [name of mental health staff member], who can offer strategies to help you get through this.”
- “Wow, that sounds really hard. It makes sense you are struggling. The good thing about talking to [name of mental health staff member] is that they’re trustworthy and a good listener, so you can just be yourself. I know approaching them out of the blue might seem uncomfortable, so I could introduce you and tell them a little about what we talked about today.”
Ways to talk with a student who needs immediate help:
- “I understand you are hurting right now. You are not alone. I am here to help you and make sure you stay safe.”
- “I hear that you feel hopeless right now. I’ve worked with the counseling center, and I think they could help. Let’s walk over together.”
- “I can tell that you’re very upset, and I’m concerned about you. I’m going to connect you with someone who can help you stay safe.”
Listen to the student’s concerns and feelings rather than focusing on offering advice, and refer them to support services as needed. With high school students, follow school protocol for reporting at-risk students and/or speaking with parents.
What to Do If a Student Is in Crisis
If a student is expressing thoughts or showing signs indicating that they may be at immediate risk for suicide or self-harm, don’t leave them alone. Escort them to the college counseling center or high school support staff, or call campus or school security and/or 911 if they decline support.
Mental Health Information to Offer Students and Families
Newport Healthcare has created at-a-glance one-sheets that teachers and other school staff can provide to all students at the beginning of the year, or share with young people and families as part of an individual conversation about a student’s well-being. Our one-sheets include information on how to access crisis hotlines, emergency support, and mental health resources.
We’ve also created a mental health checklist to help school and mental health professionals provide support for young people, while bolstering their own well-being.
How Newport Healthcare Works with School Professionals
At Newport Healthcare, we’re dedicated to supporting young people in every aspect of their growth, and we view our relationships with our client’s teachers, school counselors, and administrators as an essential part of that mission. When you refer a student to Newport for outpatient or residential care, you connect with a team of experienced and accredited educational, psychiatric, and behavioral health professionals who can serve as a resource for you and your school.As part of our community, you also have access to continuing education courses and virtual and in-person networking events. We can also provide on-campus workshops for teachers, parents, and students at no cost.
As a referring school professional, you’ll be an instrumental part of your client’s support system, and we’ll work together to ensure that your students progress in their education and learning skills while they’re receiving the care they need to heal. Our academic experts are credentialed and/or licensed by the state, most with Master’s degrees and special education backgrounds, as well as extensive training in social-emotional learning and adherence to IEPs. We set students up for success once they leave treatment, with the self-regulation skills, academic abilities, and self-confidence to launch into a bright future.
Find out more about how we partner with school professionals to support teens and young adults.