Mental health education should be added to the school curriculum
Ignorance is dangerous and can bring catastrophe in its wake
One of the scariest thoughts is of going insane. Brain function affects our abilities to think, learn, remember, and focus. The brain can be likened to a car engine without which a car cannot perform its normal functions.
It is for this reason mental health and wellness should be prioritised and taught in our schools. Mental health refers to the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional well-being that impacts how people think, feel and behave. It also presupposes the absence of a mental disorder.
Research shows that one in five people live with some sort of mental disorder or disease which makes selfcare and responsibility for one’s mental health and wellness an imperative and can preserve a person’s ability to enjoy life.
Any disruption to normal brain function can negatively affect academic performance and success, and also interfere with social relationships and physical health. Mental health education should begin during early school years as children form their first friendships and teenagers shape their selfworth and self-esteem.
It is at this stage that they face the challenges of growing up which include isolation, bullying, conflict, and poor self-esteem. They need to be equipped with the tools to navigate these through a combined effort between teachers, parents and health professionals.
The vulnerability of mentally ill patients was exposed in its full glare in the Life Esidimeni tragedy when 144 psychiatric patients died after being removed to cheaper care centres. The causes of their deaths included starvation and plain neglect. One hopes that the crisis brewing at Tswelopele Frail Centre will not blow into another Life Esidimeni.
This centre houses 72 patients and closing its doors means frail care and disabled patients will be left with no access to proper nursing care. In an abhorrent incident, a 59-year-old mentally ill Soweto woman, Jostina Sangweni, was beaten and set alight. She succumbed to her injuries in hospital. An unhinged mob had accused her of witchcraft. It transpired she had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The incident goes to show how dangerous ignorance is and the catastrophe it can bring in its wake if allowed to persist. The primary goal of mental health education is to increase awareness of pupils how to recognise mental health issues in themselves and others.
Early detection will facilitate early intervention which will make a world of difference. Signs to look for include mood changes, nervousness, withdrawal and a drop in academic performance. Triggers to mental illness include stress, depression and anxiety. Social and economic pressures can also increase the risk of disorder.
Impoverished living conditions may also set it off. Biological factors include genetic family history and physical health problems. The common types of mental illness include anxiety, mood and schizophrenic disorders.
Anxiety disorders are the most common types with panic, phobias and obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when a person experiences or sees a deeply traumatic event.
Mood disorders include depression and bipolar disorder whereby a person experiences unusual changes in their mood, energy levels, levels of activity, and ability to continue with daily life. With schizophrenia, symptoms include delusions, thought disorders, and hallucinations. It is important to note that all these can be treated through psychotherapy or medication.
Mental health awareness can literally save lives, especially with teenage suicide and self-harm increasing. Awareness of symptoms of depression can help teenagers seek help. Education can also help to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. Negative attitudes can lead to feelings of blame, shame, hopelessness, and distress.
Education can demythologise and normalise mental illness conversations and ensure that the stigma surrounding it begins to dissipate. Schools have an important role in promoting positive mental health.