As educators and adults in students’ lives, we can’t afford to shy away from talking about mental health. In fact, we need to lean in.
Why It’s So Important to Talk About Mental Health
Nearly 1 in 3 high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021 (CDC, 2023). That’s a 10% increase over the past decade. And among those students, more than 1 in 5 seriously considered suicide.
These aren’t isolated struggles—they reflect a broader reality that too many students carry silently. When we talk about mental health at school, we help remove the stigma and make it easier for students to seek support.
How to Start the Conversation
1. Keep It Casual and Consistent
You don’t need a special program or formal sit-down to check in with students. Sometimes just asking, “How are you really doing?” during a passing period or advisory block can open the door to meaningful conversation.
2. Be Honest and Relatable
Students respect authenticity. Sharing how you manage stress or handle tough days makes a big difference. It helps students understand that emotions are a normal part of life—and that it’s okay to talk about them.
3. Bring Mental Health into the Classroom
Mental health education doesn’t have to be separate from academic content. Whether you’re discussing a character’s emotional journey in English class, the impact of stress in health class, or resilience in social studies, you’re helping students build emotional awareness.
4. Empower Student Voices
Let students lead initiatives like peer wellness clubs, mental health awareness campaigns, or advisory discussions. When students hear these messages from their peers, they often listen more closely—and feel less alone.
5. Recognize the Warning Signs
You’re not expected to be mental health professionals, but you do see students every day. Be alert to signs like sudden changes in behavior, withdrawal, anger, or fatigue. Trust your instincts and refer students to a counselor or support staff when something doesn’t feel right.
A Few Important Don’ts
- Don’t minimize their feelings. Comments like “It’s not a big deal” or “You’ll be fine” might be meant to comfort, but they often do the opposite.
- Don’t wait until something’s wrong. Regular conversations help build trust so students know where to turn when they do need help.
- Don’t treat mental health like a taboo topic. Talk about it like you would physical health—it’s all part of student well-being.
Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, but it is powerful. When students know they have safe adults to talk to, they’re more likely to reach out—and that connection can make all the difference.
Our online, evidence-based course Wellbeing 101 is more than just building skills, it encourages students to recognize when they’re struggling and feel empowered to access your school’s counseling and wellness resources early—before crisis points.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2011–2021. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/YRBS_Data-Summary-Trends_Report2023_508.pdf
