Should mental health classes be

made a compulsory subject in

school?

—Introduction—

With suicide becoming a pandemic, youths across the world

are being affected the most. As the topic of mental health is
considered taboo in some communities, it has brought
awareness to a standstill. Which in turn leads to a lack of
knowledge based on societal regulations. However, what is
mental health and why is it so important?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and

social well-being. It affects how people think, feel, and act,
(2022).
According to the World Health Organization (2021), suicide is
the 4th leading cause of death among adolescents between the
age bracket of 15-19 years of age. This indicates the level of
urgency this issue should be addressed with.

This report aims to establish the reason as to why most suicide

and mental health cases stem from minors and if the
appropriate measure to combat this surge is educational
classes.

—Global Perspective—

According to the author, Anthony F. Jorm, “ Schools, colleges,

and universities are well placed as settings for improving
mental health literacy because of the high-risk age groups they
serve and their educational mission”. (Jorm, 2012). From the
research conducted and deduced from this author, it shows that
educational institutions have the appropriate platform in order
to acknowledge and teach such topics. Educational
institutions are the appropriate setting to support and
effectively vitalize mental health issues and what not.
Furthermore, educational institutions can provide the
appropriate measures in a comfortable environment. By
educating young students at an early age, it may prevent such
devastating after effects posed by mental health issues.

For instance, research shows that by starting such programs it

will; reduce several suicide attempts, increase help-seeking
behavior, improve knowledge as well as attitude towards
mental health and decrease self-harm thoughts or behaviors
("Talking about suicide and self-harm in schools can save
lives", 2022).

On the other hand, some argue that mental health awareness

are key catalyst in the pandemic of suicides. For example, on
the 31st of March 2017, 13 Reasons Why was premiered
worldwide via Netflix (a global streaming site). Overall, the plot
was of a young adolescent girl committing suicide and
tormenting her abusers by usage of casette tapes. The show
emphasized mental health issues and the importance of
seeking professional help, however the show was associated
with a 28.9% increase in suicide rates among U.S youth. Further
into the argument, author Lisa Horowitz conducted a case and
concluded that,”The results of this study should raise
awareness that young people are particularly vulnerable to the
media''. A clinical scientist in the NIMH Intramural Research
Program also added, “All disciplines, including the media, need
to take good care to be constructive and thoughtful about
topics that intersect with public health crises.”(Release of “13
Reasons Why” Associated with Increase in Youth Suicide
Rates, 2022).

From coast to coast, continent to continent, region to region

and culture to culture, mental health is universal and with that
the livelihood of the youth (in terms of preventing illnesses) is
universal as well.

—National Perspective—

In Kenya, suicide poses as a phenomenon. Data originated

from The World Bank puts suicide mortality rates in Kenya at
6.1 people per 100,000. However, the data also indicates that
young men are of the highest risk category, with 9.1 young men
in every 100,000 affected. ("Concern grows in Kenya after
alarming rise in suicide cases", 2022). Reason being stereotypes
portrayed of masculinity and the taboo mental health poses in
culture.

In Kenya, mental disorders are usually equivalized to

witchcraft, spirituality and hocus pocus. With those who suffer
from such disorders being sent to traditional healers and
religious leaders. Leading to negligence and a lack of
rehabilitation. ("Mental Health Status in Kenya - KANCO",
2022).

The Kenya Mental Health Policy (2015-2030) provides a clear

view into the fight against such drastic measures faced by the
Kenyan youth. One of the key reforms being affordable mental
health classes being instilled into schools across the nation.
Even the Ministry of Health (MOH) weighed in on the
insurgence and training community health volunteers (CVs) on
the appropriate measure to educate others. “It will be
important for all health stakeholders to take up mental health
as a serious health issue. They need to undertake intensive
awareness campaigns on the condition, prevention”. ("Mental
Health Status in Kenya - KANCO", 2022).

Concerning the youth across Kenya, mental health awareness is

considered of vital importance in reducing suicide rates and
educational institutions are pictured as the forefront of the
battle against this plague.

—Personal Statements—

From the research compiled by myself, it is with firm belief

that I state, mental health classes should be compulsory in
schools.

For what mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor,

and more unashamed conversation to truly make a difference in
one's life.
 —References—

(2022). Retrieved 23 May 2022, from

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health

Suicide. (2022). Retrieved 27 May 2022, from

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide

Jorm, A. (2012). Mental health literacy: Empowering the community to take

action for better mental health. American Psychologist, 67(3), 231-243. doi:
10.1037/a0025957

Talking about suicide and self-harm in schools can save lives. (2022). Retrieved
9 June 2022, from
https://theconversation.com/talking-about-suicide-and-self-harm-in-schools-ca
n-save-lives-83232

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). 2022. Release of “13 Reasons Why”
Associated with Increase in Youth Suicide Rates. [online] Available at:
<https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2019/release-of-13-reasons-why
-associated-with-increase-in-youth-suicide-rates> [Accessed 16 June 2022].

Concern grows in Kenya after alarming rise in suicide cases. (2022). Retrieved
16 June 2022, from
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/aug/10/concern-grows-i
n-kenya-after-alarming-rise-in-suicide-cases

Mental Health Status in Kenya - KANCO. (2022). Retrieved 16 June 2022, from
https://kanco.org/mental-health-status-in-kenya/