what is Mental Hygiene

Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all parts of our mental health. It influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Additionally, it influences how we respond to stress, interact with people, and make good decisions.  Each period of life, from infancy and adolescence to maturity, is vital for mental health.

Poor mental health and mental illness are not the same things, despite the fact that the phrases are sometimes used synonymously. Even if they do not have a mental disorder, a person might have poor mental health. An individual suffering from a mental illness may also go through phases of good physical, mental, and social health.

Importance of mental hygiene

Both physical and mental health are crucial aspects of total health. For instance, depression raises the danger of many different physical health issues, especially chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In a related manner, having a chronic illness raises your likelihood of developing a mental disease. 

Keep in mind that a person’s mental health can alter over time and depends on a variety of circumstances. A person’s mental health may be affected if the requirements imposed on them are greater than their capacity for managing assets.

 For example, someone may suffer poor mental health if they are working long hours, looking after a relative, or going through financial difficulties.

The causes of mental health

Mental disease has many causes, not just one. Risk factors for developing a mental disorder include things like:

  • Early traumatic events in life or a history of maltreatment (for example, child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing violence, etc.)
  • encounters including other enduring (chronic) illnesses, like diabetes or cancer.
  • The brain’s biological components or hormonal imbalances.
  • utilization drugs or alcohol.
  • experiencing a sense of isolation or loneliness.

Role of teacher in fostering mental health

The purpose of the current study is to examine how primary school instructors can support the mental health of pupils who are experiencing emotional challenges. Early identification of children at risk of mental health issues is a key component of teachers’ roles in improving mental health. Counseling programs offered in schools can help to promote mental wellness.

By teaching them problem-solving, emotion control, and conflict resolution techniques. Additionally, the effectiveness of connections between instructors and students, parents, and other students in the classroom is linked to teachers’ roles in supporting mental health.

Positive interpersonal interactions can help avoid behavioral issues and improve a student’s psychosocial growth and ability to adjust. Furthermore, the current study makes the claim that teachers’ advocacy for mental health might strengthen students’ sense of self. The purpose of the current study is to examine how primary school instructors can support the mental health of pupils who are experiencing emotional challenges.

Early identification of children at risk for mental health issues is a key component of teachers’ roles in improving mental health. Counseling programs offered in schools can help to promote mental wellness. Students’ psychological resilience may be increased and their socioemotional proficiency can be strengthened by teaching them problem-solving, emotion control, and conflict resolution techniques.

Additionally, the effectiveness of connections between instructors and students, parents, and other students in the classroom is linked to teachers’ roles in supporting mental health. Positive interpersonal interactions can help avoid behavioral issues and improve a student’s psychosocial growth and ability to adjust. Ultimately, the current study makes the claim that teachers’ advocacy for mental health might strengthen students’ sense of self.

Role of teacher in fostering mental health

It’s practically a given for teachers that we will have to put out some emotional fires in the classroom at some point. Teachers should take special care in managing students at times of increased mental trauma since these times provide important educational experiences.

  • Recognize the attitude: The learner will learn how to recognise and describe the emotion he is experiencing. We can begin by inquiring as to what you are feeling right now. If the learner is unable to recognize their emotions, we might offer comments such as, “You seem furious right now.” I notice that you are speaking loudly, have clenched fists, and are breathing forcefully. The learner can alternatively be sent to an emotion chart and asked to name the emotion based on images.
  • Acknowledge the emotion: It’s critical that children comprehend their right to feel whichever way they do and that they are not alone in doing so. 
  • Relate the feeling to a negative behavior to help the kid understand that negative emotions can lead to negative behaviors. “When you’re upset, you could make threats against other people or yourself. 

The great majority of the time, a student’s emotional outbursts are just the consequence of their being irritated by a very commonplace situation, such as feeling excluded from playtime during break time or a conflict over sharing. Conversely, issues in a student’s personal life or at home might occasionally be the cause of their bad behavior. So, teachers play a great role in the mental health of the students.