Forum: Important to have a day for mental health awareness in schools
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As a 19-year-old looking back on my school days, I think what was missing was a mental health day in schools.
Two years ago at my school, a tragic incident happened. Till now, it reminds me of the importance of understanding mental health and what we can do for ourselves and our classmates.
Schools have many existing mental health programmes and advocacy actions. But having a mental health day in schools will serve to crystallise the commitment of educators to mental health. It will serve to acknowledge the importance of mental health in our schools and be a reminder to stakeholders of the commitment to mental health.
Designating a day has a very strong effect on our understanding, psyche, and the way we respond to mental health for our young and our students.
This is not asking for a “don’t go to school day”, but a day when the school, the tutors, the teachers and the students gather to learn about mental health, to share about mental health and to acknowledge the struggles of fellow students who have such needs.
Lee Qin Yuan, 19
