Mental illness or an inability to cope?

Mental illness has long been (and will continue to be) a very salient topic in human society. The importance of and awareness surrounding mental illness is becoming increasingly more publicized over time.

I’m a student at Memorial University studying to become a teacher. The teacher education program Memorial introduces topics that will be highly beneficial as we become educators, and student mental illness is one of the more highly discussed topics.

Before I offer my personal opinion on mental illness amongst school students, I want to make it clear that in no way, shape or form do I underestimate the impact that having a mental illness has on people’s day-to-day lives.

Teaching is a profession largely centred on being able to relate and understand students, and so it’s understandable that the topic of mental health would be at the forefront.

A major issue within schools in Newfoundland and Labrador is the prevalence of children and youth dealing with anxiety and anxiety disorders. More and more children are being diagnosed with anxiety disorders at younger ages (even as young as kindergarten) and guidance counsellors throughout the province are seeing it in students more than ever.

While there are undoubtedly many students struggling to cope day to day with severe anxiety and also depression, I am curious to know when it is deemed necessary to provide a five-year-old or six-year-old with anti-anxiety medication, or if it is even necessary at all at such a young age. It makes me question whether a child or youth is suffering from a real mental illness or is displaying an inability or a difficulty in coping with everyday life stressors.

There is a difference, and while there is no firm answer for any individual case, it has made me scratch my head nonetheless.

The age of the individual must be taken into high consideration. Quite simply, fiveand six-year-olds — even most 10-year-olds — have not yet learned, either in school and/or at home, how to practice coping skills during times of life stress. If this is the case, how can they be diagnosed with an illness? This theory may ring true for teenagers as well, but to a far lesser extent, I would suspect.

The bottom line is that just because a child/youth experiences some degree of stress or mild anxiety from time to time does not mean they have a mental illness. In fact, minor stress and anxiety can motivate behaviour and even develop character and resiliency — all good qualities to develop throughout life. Children and teenagers must learn that minor stress and anxiety is a normal and common aspect of life that can actually have a positive connotation. As a result, parents and teachers should teach youth ways to effectively cope with stress and tension.

Also, if a child or teenager is a bit shy, introverted or lacking in self-confidence, then this is not directly indicative of a mental illness. While the individual may perceive them as unfavorable traits, it is not appropriate to automatically attribute it to a mental illness.

It is important to develop children and youth, not only for the present, but for the future as well. Teaching effective ways to cope with stress is very beneficial for life after K-12 schooling.

Mental health is a very touchy subject that is not to be shoved under the rug or undermined under any circumstances, but it is important that it is not misinterpreted as being potentially indicative of something else.

A major issue within schools in Newfoundland and Labrador is the prevalence of children and youth dealing with anxiety and anxiety disorders.

David Martin St. John’s