PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG VALENZUELA

Maysan Road corner Tongco Street, Maysan, Valenzuela City

Introduction to Speech Communication

CERVANTES, Ralph Raymond G.

BSEd Major in English Language and Literature 2-1

Professor Carmela Abalos

and Wellness in the Curriculum

Long ago, society was peculiar on the issue of mental health. Many mocked,

dismissed and invalidated its relevance and existence. Until the world has begun to

progress and challenge the obsolete ideas and outdated concepts of humankind. Mental

health is no longer the myth it used to be – it is now the scientific, psychological, and

social fact that governs the underpinnings of education, society, and life at large.

It is not always easy to deal with life as a teenager. There are many social

pressures, family pressures, and unique emotional stresses that seem only to increase

as we get older. New mental health awareness campaigns worldwide are finally starting

to address the need for more education in this field. In many countries, education has

begun to include mental health and wellness within the curriculum, but there is still much

work, primarily in the Philippines, that Mental Health is a prevalent issue and paramount

public health concern. People can learn more about their mental health when they are

younger, and this would make it easier for them when they are struggling with difficult

emotions or have trauma later on in life. The first step in preventing stigma is learning

about it. With a lack of understanding, people will continue to discriminate against those

with mental health conditions. Do we want our future generations unprepared for this kind

of adversity? No, and that's why it's time to start teaching kids what real life will look like

for them when they grow up. The stigma surrounding mental health is the most significant

factor in deterring people from seeking the treatment they need. It seems odd that people

who are so vulnerable to being hurt are so reluctant to get help. With mental illness,

symptoms can often be dismissed as 'just' personality quirks. No blood test will reveal
what's going on inside, nor is there any other medical evidence that would make an

outsider think something was medically wrong with a person experiencing these

symptoms. This leads to people with the condition feeling alienated and alone. Mental

wellness should be taught as part of the school curriculum because students must know

how to cope with emotional difficulties in their lifetime.

When mental health is emphasized within the school curriculum, students will learn

more about their mental health. Unfortunately, most people have not been educated

enough about mental health and how it affects one's life that schools can help ease the

burden of the stress of the students and manage these issues. While some teenagers

can cope with these responsibilities – others may need help from professionals who can

first avoid or overcome any mental health issues before taking harmful substances

(NACAN). According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, "Mental illnesses are real

medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to

others, and daily functioning." Some of the most common disorders that people suffer

from are depression and anxiety. Addressing mental health needs in school is critically

crucial for the reason that 1 in 5 children and teens have a diagnosable emotional,

behavioral, or mental health disorder and 1 in 10 young people have a mental health crisis

that is critical enough to undermine how they function at home, school or in the

community.

Another reason mental health and wellness education should be taught in schools

is that it helps children become more empowered when dealing with difficult situations.

Latest figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that suicide incidents

rose 25.7% in 2020, making it the 27th leading cause of death in 2020 from 31st in 2019.
Some 3,529 cases of intentional self-harm were recorded in 2020, which was higher than

the 2,808 deaths recorded in 2019. From 2015 to 2020, the average number of deaths

caused by suicide was at 2,630, and this skyrocketed case is alarming these days. Most

students do not know how to handle their emotions when they feel depressed, as they

don't know what else to do, and sometimes it will lead to ending their pain by death.

Teachers and students must be equipped with approaches to recognize signs of

developing mental health quandaries, and there should be opportunities around the

perception and management of mental health disasters, including the risk of suicide or

self-harm. Emphasizing to them that mental health is an integral part of health and the

idea of recovery from mental illness will include self-care and responsibility for one's own

mental health and wellness. We ought to empower them with vast knowledge, and

hearten dialogue, that they will be able to get the help they need. It will allow them to

understand the importance of being physically and mentally fit. Learning this information

at a young age can help them later in life when they start being more active and getting

into a relationship.

And above all, integrating mental health and wellness into the school curriculum

should not be debatable. These are the necessities of life and learning. As teachers plan

their lessons, learning deliveries, and overall pedagogy, it has always been imperative to

put a premium on the learner's cognitive domain and the other parts of learning in Bloom's

taxonomy – such as affective and psychomotor. One cannot be practical nor capable of

psychomotor if the cognitive domain of learners is compromised, just like how the tagline

of PLV physical education emphasized – strong body and strong mind. If we have P.E.

for our bodies, we should have something to foster and fuel our minds, for these are two
inseparable citadels of our existence – indivisible and interdependent. Thus, to argue

whether mental health and wellness should be added into the curriculum is preposterous

at all, because in the first place, it should be the prerequisite in making education effective,

responsive, and scientifically anchored. The building blocks of learning are determined in

the wellness of learners and mental health, and it should always be the premise of

education to advocate for its success and practice.

If we are going to live a healthy lifestyle, everyone must know about mental health

and wellness. It is essential to recognize that as we get older, we have more responsibility

in our lives – but it does not mean that we can no longer benefit from the support of mental

health professionals. Teachers can encourage students to ask for help if they ever feel

overwhelmed with their adult lives. We should start focusing on the prevention of mental

health issues from a young age. As adults, we can learn how to recognize the signs of

stress, depression, and anxiety in other young people so that help can be provided before

these issues become too severe, and this should be introduced in schools for various

reasons. The student will have more knowledge and skills for life and will handle difficult

situations when they arise and help quickly to avoid tragic consequences. It profoundly

impacts students' lives that having a school environment that teaches students about their

emotional well-being can save lives throughout their childhood, adolescence, and even

adulthood. Extensive cooperation between government efforts pre, during, and post

disasters guarantees that afflicted children and their families are provided with the

necessary and proper care and support. It is also essential to administer long-term

assistance to ensure children and adolescents' well-being by implementing this

curriculum. Furthermore, psychosocial preparedness necessitates being blended into

abilities required on this situation. Early detection and intervention strategies work will

further cultivate resilience and success in school and life. After all, prevention is better

than cure. Regardless of a student's age, everyone must understand their mental well-

being and the importance of mental health in life.

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