Here are steps administrators can take to prioritize mental health effectively:

Invest in educator mental health: Begin by supporting teachers and staff. When educators are mentally healthy, they can better support their students. Offer professional development on stress management, provide access to mental health resources and foster a positive work environment.
Implement comprehensive mental health programs: Develop programs that include prevention, education and intervention at all levels. Ensure these programs are integrated into the daily school routine and accessible to all students.
Create a supportive school environment: Foster a culture where students feel safe, respected and valued. This includes creating policies that promote inclusivity and promptly address bullying and discrimination. Building strong relationships between students and educators can enhance students’ sense of belonging and commitment to attending school while also building a supportive school community.
Teach resilience and life skills: Incorporate a curriculum that teaches students how to manage stress, build resilience and develop life skills. Help students understand that while life is full of uncontrollable stressors, they can control their reactions and take steps toward their goals.
Validate and support students: Ensure that student programs acknowledge the challenges young people face but also empower them to take control of their actions and decisions. Provide consistent support and encouragement to help them build self-worth and confidence.
Engage parents and guardians: Work with families to create a cohesive support system for students. Offer workshops and resources that help parents understand and support their children’s mental health needs and teach them the same strategies you teach students so they can scaffold and reinforce them at home.
Monitor and evaluate programs: Regularly assess the effectiveness of mental health programs and make adjustments as needed. Collect feedback from students, staff and parents to ensure the programs meet the community’s needs.

By taking these steps, schools can begin to create a supportive environment that helps students overcome self-doubt, stay motivated and improve school attendance and performance. It's also critical that issues related to screen time are addressed, as excessive screen time significantly harms young people's mental health.

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School attendance: Why mental health and screen time are keys

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