Mental health is a crucial factor for student success, especially in challenging and uncertain times. Academic advisors play a key role in supporting students' mental well-being, as they often have frequent and meaningful interactions with them. Here are some ways academic advisors can help students cope with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
One of the first steps to support students' mental health is to build rapport and trust with them. This means being respectful, empathetic, and genuine in your communication. You can also show interest in their personal and academic goals, strengths, and challenges. By creating a positive and supportive relationship, you can help students feel comfortable and confident to share their concerns and needs with you.
First, the students should trust the faculty and feel that they can share their mind without being judged. This creates an environment in which teachers can help them have better mental health and well-being.
Caring starts with listening and understanding. The talking cure is powerful, but it requires trust and a safe space. We will only share our real authentic thoughts and emotions when we feel we will be heard, understood and respected. This requires a safe space, protected and nurtured. It also requires strategies and approaches to encourage those who need to - to open up. Mental Health first-aid training can be a valuable intervention to build these skills, and distribute them. But it all starts with listening, and letting them be heard, without judgement.
In the classroom we look to build long lasting relationships. Do you know your students family history, likes and dislikes , interests and strengths and weaknesses? What ticks them off ? In the process of learning these things you inadvertently show trust and care. Trust and care means a student is more inclined to share what is going one in their thoughts and emotions. Remember also to check out your mental state as that creates the atmosphere in the classroom
A safe classroom is the first step to supporting students' mental health as each student may come from a different family environment and experience unique struggles in their life. I ensure two check-ins with my students during every session. Before beginning my session, I have a general check-in with students, enquiring about their day, if they have eaten, and if they are ready to participate. At the end of the session, I check in with them once again to ensure understanding of the concepts as well as to obtain feedback on what they enjoyed and what they didn't. I have found such interactions to improve my relationships with students and promote student engagement.
First, it is important to get to know the students well and get their trust. Create a positive and safe environment so that the students can feel comfortable in the class. Once we got the trust, it is easier to build the rapport with the students. Students sometimes need their teachers to just listen to their stories. Establish the healthy relationship and make sure that everything is genuine and respectful. That way, students can feel confident to show their strength and weaknesses that can help teachers to support the students.
Another way to support students' mental health is to provide information and resources that can help students cope and seek help. You can inform students about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and burnout. You can also share tips and strategies for managing stress, such as mindfulness, relaxation, and self-care. Moreover, you can refer students to appropriate campus or community resources, such as counseling, health services, or peer support groups.
The best help, is helping others to help themselves. We are eager to support our students, but alone we can only do so much. Leverage resources and strategies that provide our students with a roadmap to navigate through their challenges. There are so many great resources, on exercises and strategies that can help hugely, as well as apps like Wysa that can help people manage through common mental health stresses. These help scale up the support, as the need is large, and solutions need to be holistic and at scale. The most powerful help can be to lean in, listen and provide and share these tools, strategies and resources. Which give a map to navigate through to a better place.
In my opinion, apart from the mentioned options, schools/institutes can train their staffs and students about mental health, it's symptoms and first aid. This will help students/staff deal with the ones suffering with empathy and carefulness.
Personally, I have never heard my scientific advisors talk about stress management or even acknowledge that a thesis is a challenging project. I firmly believe that normalazing mental struggles by admitting their existence is the first step. Mentioning available resources to students is a great way to support them. In cultures where vulnerability is discouraged, you may want to avoid framing this as a personal suggestion, but rather provide information in case "anyone" needs it.
Another way academic advisors can support students' mental health is by offering workshops and seminars. Organizing or promoting workshops on topics like stress management, mindfulness, time management, and healthy living can equip students with practical skills to handle mental health issues.
It’s essential to understand that different students require varying types of resources and support. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to helping students so it’s important to develop a strong community where students feel cared for in their own unique ways. Having a variety of supports to choose from allows students to explore their own personal development and take ownership over their growth and/or recovery.
A third way to support students' mental health is to encourage academic engagement and success. You can do this by helping students set realistic and attainable goals, plan their courses and schedules, and monitor their progress and feedback. You can also help students develop academic skills, such as time management, study habits, and test-taking strategies. By fostering academic engagement and success, you can help students feel motivated, competent, and satisfied with their learning.
One of the biggest stressors for students is the fear of failing at a project, exam, quiz, course, etc. Students are often led to believe by those around them that failure can be catastrophic. We need to assure students that failing before succeeding is ok and quite commonplace. You may fail at multiple things, before you find your groove. Even then, you may fall flat on big occasions every now and then. All of this is quite ok, most successful people have gone through such ups and downs. It will all turn out fine, it is part of the process!
By helping students plan their courses and schedules, educators can assist in creating a manageable workload for students, reducing stress and anxiety. Additionally, monitoring their progress and providing constructive feedback can help students stay on track and feel supported in their academic journey.
Success builds on success. Supporting success from the time children and students are in school is too late! Building strong foundations from conception onwards, particularly in the first 1000 days supports a child to reach their full potential and thrive in all areas of life, especially school. Parents are our children's first teachers. Supporting them, and helping them understand the power of play for development ensures our children have the right foundations in place so they can optimally develop. If we want our children to thrive in society and have amazing mental health we need to start right from the start.
Building relationships with students, helping them to feel safe in their learning environment and comfortable enough to discuss any concerns or difficulties they are having! Extremely important in my opinion
I strongly agree that attainable and realistic goals should be a priority. It's important that learners recognise there isn't only one way to success. Success can be attained in many different ways that is unique to each individual. It's also important that they understand that success means something very different to each person and therefore, they should avoid comparing themselves to others. Having the right mindset will definitely help reduce stress.
A fourth way to support students' mental health is to recognize and respond to distress. You can do this by being alert to the signs of distress, such as changes in behavior, mood, or performance. You can also express concern and empathy, and ask open-ended questions to understand the situation and the student's feelings. Furthermore, you can offer support and assistance, and refer the student to crisis intervention or emergency services if needed.
Une autre fa?on de soutenir la santé mentale des élèves est de : - Chercher à conna?tre et à comprendre sa situation familiale. - Parler sérieusement à ses géniteurs / Parents. - S'occuper particulièrement de ses préoccupation et répondre franchement à ses questions.
To me, this element of support is critical. Often, we have answers and talk to/at students. However, offering a listening ear, asking the right questions and being available can support students to release stress, emotions, and anxiety. Often, when other systems are in place, this responsive practice can “unblock” a students fixed/stuck mindset and they feel seen, heard, and valued. I find it helpful to also cast a vision of who I see the student becoming beyond the temporary trials. The art of being responsive requires intuition, understanding and presence.
Once students opens up with his/her concern, it is important for the academic advisors to not judge them and ask very relevant but questions related to students lifestyle and give tips and first aid to help them initially. Eventually, students can be referred for further support from experts if needed.
Another way academic advisors can support students' mental health is by providing a safe space for conversations. Ensuring that students feel safe to discuss their mental health without judgment or stigma is crucial. Advisors can create an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their concerns.
An example of a tool out there to respond to distress is the QPR framework - question, persuade, & respond. If you recognize a student is in distress, you start by asking clear & supportive questions. Then you work to persuade them to tell someone & to seek support. Finally, you respond & take the necessary steps to make sure the person in distress receives the support they need. This is a great training for all staff on campus to have in order to help & support students in distress.
A fifth way to support students' mental health is to collaborate and consult with others. You can do this by working with other academic advisors, faculty, staff, and administrators to create a supportive and inclusive campus culture. You can also consult with mental health professionals, such as counselors, psychologists, or psychiatrists, to seek guidance and advice on how to best support students. Additionally, you can participate in professional development and training opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills on mental health issues.
Make sure you're having regular check-ins! Proactively reaching out to students, especially those who seem to be struggling or have had past mental health concerns, can help in the early identification of issues and provide timely support.
I strongly recommend the SEL for adults online course from Conscious Discipline & then you can use the workbook as discussion tool to guide educator conversations in PLCs about how to build networks of collaboration & consultation.
The teacher is also a human being. You don't necessarily need to have answers to all the questions. Also, there are situations beyond teachers understanding. That's where counselors can intervene and help students and teachers both in better understanding.
If a student is struggling in a course, facilitating open communication with the instructor and the student can bring forward potential opportunities for the student achieve success within that class and improve their grade. Supporting a student by advocating for their success through action reassures them that they are not alone in their academic journey.
One of the best resources I use is the work of the late Dr. David Hawkins. Sharing books such as "Healing and Recovery" and "Letting Go" are powerful tools as Dr. Hawkins demonstrates that after 40 years of running the biggest psychiatric practice in the world, the concepts of "letting go" and "surrending" to what is are the most effective tools we have.
A sixth way to support students' mental health is to take care of yourself. You can do this by maintaining a healthy balance between your personal and professional life, and setting boundaries and limits on your workload and availability. You can also practice self-care activities, such as exercise, hobbies, or meditation, to reduce stress and enhance well-being. Moreover, you can seek support from your colleagues, friends, or family, or seek professional help if you experience burnout or compassion fatigue.
You can't give from an empty vessel. As teachers and educators, we often give and give - but if we don't care for ourselves, we hurt those we teach. There's a reason they always say put on your own oxygen mask first, on a flight. When we step in to support and help those struggling, it can exact a large toll on our wellbeing and resilience. Learn to reflect and assess how you feel and your levels of energy and enthusiasm. When these dip, take action, by practicing self-care. Try to also schedule sufficient time for rest, recovery and you-time - so you have the strength and resilience to keep on supporting those around you when they need it.
It is completely about self-awareness and stress management. How ever the teachers need to be example and show the students practically how that is possible. The teachers can encourage students open conversations about mental wellbeing, reduce stigma around seeking help and coping strategies. It is also necessary to teach time management skills, having regular breaks, and a value of having a balanced life.
This seems to be a self-evident solution, but a lot of educators do not take good enough care of themselves. On top of the job and students, people juggle their love life, children and other commitments, having to keep it all in the air. I know how it feels when you are convinced that if you take some time for yourself, everything is going to fall apart. It is crucial to learn to notice your own physical and emotional state and respond preemptively. And a specialist can assist you in establishing new habits and healthier routines.
Supporting students' mental health involves a direct approach. Encourage them to view failure as a natural part of learning, highlighting that intelligence isn't solely measured by success. Emphasize the importance of self-compassion, teaching them to be kind to themselves during setbacks. Additionally, promote open communication, ensuring students feel comfortable expressing their struggles. Finally, provide resources like counseling services and workshops to equip them with coping strategies and stress management tools.
Don't be afraid to encourage professional help when needed. While advisors are a great resource, they should also know when to recommend professional mental health services and how to guide students in accessing these resources.
1. Holistic Support Planning: Academic advisors can collaborate with students to create personalized academic plans that consider their mental health. This involves discussing course loads, deadlines, and realistic goals. Understanding a student’s mental health challenges allows advisors to suggest appropriate resources and accommodations. 2. Promoting Awareness and Resources: Advisors can contribute to mental health awareness by providing information about campus mental health services, workshops, and support groups. They can guide students in accessing counseling services and encourage open conversations about mental health, reducing stigma and fostering a supportive academic environment.
Model with your students that mental health is universal and we all experience normal ups and downs. Anxiety isn’t something to panic about: it’s proof you have a healthy survival response. Feelings of low confidence and lack of self esteem are a normal part of going to university and discovering your strengths and weaknesses. It’s human to suffer, and the best response is to share, be honest and talk about it. Validating distress involves believing what your students say without panicking yourself. Often the best advice in a mental health crisis is refreshingly simple. Reach out, get a decent night’s sleep, ask for an extension on the essay, have a weekend away from parties, get into nature and do some exercise.
Flexible academic policies accommodate challenges, promoting work-life balance. Proactive outreach is key; teachers must initiate well-being conversations in regular check-ins, destigmatizing mental health. Virtual support through tech, like webinars and AI-driven tools, enhances accessibility. Fostering community via peer networks and workshops encourages shared experiences, creating a supportive academic environment for mental health and success.
The teachers can create a positive and inclusive classroom. Foster sense of belonging, address bullying and exclusion properly, and promote culture and respect to each other.