One of the world’s greatest travesties is that there is not enough understanding among the general population when it comes to the subject of mental health. A person’s mental health can be the deciding factor on whether or not they have a productive life.
The way you perceive the world is your truth, and mental illness jades the truth of nearly every element of your life. Education is no exception to the rule.
As the time of year rolls around when students of all ages are going back to school, take the time to read through a few ways in which mental health can affect you (or your child) in the classroom. Consider how you might work with the challenges you face, to become an academic champion.
ADHD in the classroom
Individuals diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have trouble focusing for long periods of time. Kids with this diagnosis often have behavioral issues accompanying the challenge, making learning a unique situation.
Without the proper medications, ADHD can severely impede a student’s ability to thrive. It’s important that this particular diagnosis is managed on an individual basis, as some people manage to function just fine with the disorder.
Depression and the lack of desire
Severe depression can shut down an individual’s ability to function in everyday life, making it extremely difficult to manage an education. College students are a high-risk group of kids for this sort of situation, and it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of depression.
Keeping your grades up won’t be a feasible situation without swift treatment and a blanket of support. Don’t brush depression off as just being a “wimp” or a “cry baby,” and get to the heart of the problem as soon as possible.
You may not always be present
In general, mental health issues cause a disruption in cognitive function. If you’re having a bad mental health day in the classroom (no matter what role you’re playing), you may not actually even be present.
It’s hard enough for average folks to juggle the stressors of life. When you add a mental health challenge to the mix, the situation gets a bit more complicated.
Testing anxiety is a real challenge
Students who suffer from test anxiety can look really bad on paper, but retain/learn new information with ease. A student may be brilliant, but the anxiety induced by a busy or timed testing environment can make all that information instantly fall to the wayside.
Social hurdles are a factor
If you or your child are on the Autism Spectrum, then the social situations presented in school could be a serious challenge. Learning is secondary to environmental factors when Autism takes over. Social situations are more difficult, and focusing on the task at hand could be a fundamental challenge.
