The Problem with School Systems and Mental Health
Overwhelming School Stress
The problem is clear. School systems are failing to recognize that students are struggling with their emotional well-being — one of the reasons: stress from school.
For example, the school system in South Korea is extremely tiresome, pressuring, and demanding. South Korea has the highest suicide rate for those who are 10–19 years old. According to students, the majority of the suicides for children and teens in South Korea is because of the stress they face at school.
Almost all children end school around 4 p.m. and go straight to their after-school cram sessions or study halls, called hagwons, which usually lasts until 11 p.m. or later. That’s more than 16 hours of school per day, and students go to school 11 months per year.
South Korean students study for one college entrance exam that determines whether they get into one of the top 3 universities in the country. This single exam ultimately determines their future, since the university they go to will allow them to find better careers.
Many companies in South Korea look for the 3 top universities when choosing job applicants; those who ace their exam and go to one of the top 3 universities will most likely be secured a stable job. The exam is also important to many students because it may boost or tear a family’s reputation and honor.
Because of the pressures many students face in preparing or failing the exam, students’ mental health suffers, and some end up committing suicide.
Kim Mee Suk, a researcher of the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, told Parallels, “if young students are not happy, we cannot guarantee their happiness when they grow up, so our future will be really dark.” It’s concerning that Korean students aren’t able to fully enjoy their childhood because of the amount of stress and competition they must face in order to earn a promising future.
Not only is there a detrimental school system running in Korea, but also in places such as China, Singapore, and Japan.
Lack of Mental Health Resources Abroad and At Home
South Korea also lacks mental health resources. There is judgment around those who reach out for mental health assistance. Because of this, many don’t feel confident enough to get support.
With a society that still hasn’t completely recognized mental health struggles, many students end up rejecting the services that are available out of fear of being outcasts.
The United States is another country that faces a lack of mental health support. In 2013, 15 million children and teens were estimated to struggle in their mental well-being, while only 7.4 percent of them were receiving proper mental health assistance.
Since many families across the states don’t have access to healthcare or insurance, their children can only receive help through their own schools.
School psychologists can only take on a number of students to assist, and teachers aren’t experienced when it comes to supporting students’ emotional well-being. The 74 Million News Outlet suggests that schools should collect more data regarding their students’ mental health and work more closely with local hospitals or medical health centers. Schools need to take on more responsibility in supporting their students’ health, rather than only supporting them academically.
Mental Health Right Now
With the world on edge, students around the world have been staying at home to protect themselves from the Coronavirus; however, social distancing has been causing people to feel stressed and isolated. According to the CDC, stress from a pandemic can cause worry about one’s health and job, sleeping difficulties, mental health crises, and more. It is important for us to learn more about taking care of ourselves with the pandemic right now since we are living through a time that is so unexpected and dangerous.
How You Can Help
You can help others by being more open to conversations and comforting those around you. You can also help out virtually by training at hotline sites such as Teen Line or any hotlines that offer teen volunteering during this time.
You can also start your own organization that spreads mental awareness or supports other students directly. One of my friends started her own organization for mental awareness and athletes.
Generation Z has the ability to end mental health stigmas and raise awareness for future countries to be more accepting and understanding when it comes to student mental health.
Ultimately, it will take more time to convince school systems around the world that students need less stress when it comes to academics. Hopefully, one day, all students will be able to have a caring school and community around them that supports them emotionally, providing them access to resources if they ever need a helping hand.
Please check out this link with a wide range of support hotlines if you need support during this time: https://teenhealthandwellness.com/static/hotlines.
Sources
Hu, Elise. “The All-Work, No-Play Culture Of South Korean Education.” NPR, NPR, 15 Apr. 2015, www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/04/15/393939759/the-all-work-no-play-culture-of-south-korean-education.
Mahnken, Kevin. “The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in America’s Schools: Millions of Kids Not Receiving Services They Need.” The 74 The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in America's Schools Millions of Kids Not Receiving Services They Need Comments, www.the74million.org/the-hidden-mental-health-crisis-in-americas-schools-millions-of-kids-not-receiving-services-they-need/.
“Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html.
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Edited by: Mehek Bhargava, Director of Research Bloggers
