Although the hard numbers aren’t in yet, surveys indicate that the pandemic is taking a toll on our students’ mental health.
Fear and social isolation are causing a spike in anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation.
You’ve likely seen signs yourself:
Lethargy
Apathy
Indifference
Distractability
Restlessness
What follows are three things you can do to help.
1. Acknowledge
Many students feel alone and cut off from their former life. They may not have friends or family they can confide in, and thus feel as if they’re the only one having a hard time.
Just knowing that they’re not alone can provide great comfort. The fact is, we’re all struggling to some degree. By simply acknowledging it, you can help a lot of students.
You don’t have to be specific or dwell on your own low moments.
But in a general sense, acknowledging the mental strain of Covid, and how the isolation and disruption to our lives is hard to deal with, is enormously beneficial.
The truth is, they’re not alone. But they don’t always know it.
2. Drench
A powerful antidote to feelings of depression and anxiety is to have purpose. Because of Covid, purpose for many has been shredded into a million little pieces. In some cases, even gone for good.
You are in position, however, to provide a new purpose for your students by approaching your lessons with renewed passion and enthusiasm.
Pull on your fins and snorkel gear and guide your students down into the ocean depths to listen to the clicks and squeaks of dolphins and sperm whales.
Climb with them to the dusty top of Cheops and gaze down on the new discovery of a fourth pyramid on the Western edge of the Giza Plateau. Recite Robert Frost with Ponyboy and Johnny as they hide out in Windrixville Church.
Take your students on an adventure.
Drench them in their learning. Go deeper instead of wider. Make learning about the world, its inhabitants, and the natural laws that bind it all together their new purpose.
And the burdens of 2020 will begin to fade like a bright, shiny morning.
3. Offer
Every day tell your students that you’re there for them. Tell them that you care for them, that you have their back, and that you’ll do your best to help them through any struggle or obstacle they’re facing.
Repeat your email address again and again. Keep it written on your whiteboard or readily published to your Google classroom. Let your students know that they can pull you aside or contact you anytime.
Offer to set up a meeting if they wish to chat.
They may not take you up on it. Probably won’t, in fact. But just knowing that you’re available is often enough. Knowing that someone cares and is there to listen if they need it can make a big difference.
So be that person.
And say it often. “I’m here for you. If you need anything or you’re struggling in any way, I’ll help you through it.”
Be Smart
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that we’re not health professionals.
If a student reports to you that they feel like harming themselves or others, or if they appear in any danger, then immediately contact your principal, counselor, and psychologist.
If you feel it’s an emergency, then also contact the local police.
Never go beyond the support boundaried by your level of training and certification. Never speak to a student alone without others in the room or exchange emails without cc’ing your principal or counselor.
Never cross that invisible line.
In the rush to help, many teachers do more harm than good. So protect yourself. Be smart. Be a beacon of hope in the areas you can provide the most help.
And you may just save a life.
PS – Hidden within the article are the titles of two books by a controversial author. Can you name the books and the author? Leave a comment below. The first to answer correctly will receive their choice of one of my books or e-guides.
Also, I’ll be taking next week off to celebrate Thanksgiving, but will be back on December 5th with a brand-new article.
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, please join us. It’s free! Click here and begin receiving classroom management articles like this one in your email box every week.
Thank you for this important article Michael! As always, your advice is simple, straightforward, and powerful. I tell my students I am here for them, but I will do more to repeat this daily to ensure they know that I mean it.
I also found the hidden books, which are A Million Little Pieces and a Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey.
You got it, David. Congratulations! I’ll email you later this morning to arrange your prize.
Why principals don’t praise by Michael Linsin
Bright Shiny Morning and A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
The Outsiders By Stephen King
A Million Little Pieces and Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey!
Fun challenge 🙂
Thanks for the treasure hunt – it actually made me remember The Outsiders and that I’d like to read that again. I read it when I was 13 or something and I was very confused.
Thanks so much for your posts – I read them regularly!
I found the books, Go Deeper and Beacon of Hope by two different authors.
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your advice on supporting mental health. As a teacher in the UK who has just isolated for 2 weeks, keeping in touch with students via phone call, I have found it really uplifting and encouraging to know that by being there I am supporting my students in such a positive way.
SE Hinton The Outsiders and That was Then, This is Now
I really liked the advice on ccing a principal – dang good advice. We have gone from closed doors to everything on video, and now to private homes.
Thank you Michael Linsin – great advice and well written… another gem! This is inspiring… will pass it on to my colleagues. Here in Quebec (elementary school) we are going to have 4 days online. Your sound advice will come in handy! Happy thanksgiving 😉
Hello Michael,
I am still too young in teaching profession and this pandemic taught me a bunch of lesson that I myself didn’t know I am actually experiencing this type of depression. Thank you for having this article, I’ve been doing several innovation on how can I effectively connect to my students emotionally but I felt so hopeless doing it virtually. With your insights, I am now again optimistic to push for the benefits of my students.
So I searched closely and did some research and found the author and titles but then scrolled down to answer and saw someone had already won. I was a little disappointed but enjoyed the challenge 🙂 Now I know a new author to check out. James Frey and his books A Million Little Pieces and Bright Shiny Day. Thanks for the challenge!
Yes, Jemlou! Your optimism is contagious. I’ve been teaching awhile, but depression can sneak up on all of us. Way to think positively, and most importantly, outside your own needs. You’re absolutely right, that the students need you to keep at it. I am rooting for you here in Minnesota!
Sincerely,
Davina
Hi Michael
You are a very kind teacher. God bless you.
There are some days when I’ve done this well, and some days when I’ve been hard on my kids. I try and remember the impossible burdens some of my students have right now–older siblings responsible for their younger sibling’s online learning in addition to their own, students split between houses with varying resources/internet…Some students are just disappearing, many of my high school students might not come back. I try and keep some humor flowing which is really helping me, and I hope them. Thanks for the reminder about what my real job is right now: get them through this.
And the treasure hunt. A Million Little Pieces and a Bright Shiny Morning–what fun. I did love the Outsiders too, as a teen. Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone!
Thank you for your insight information. Where as I am the substitute teacher onsite and my students are assigned by a regular assigned teacher, I always make it a point while they are using their Think Pads and working in Google Classroom, that I am there to assist them with anything they may need. This includes but is not limited to the work assignment. I have experienced a few of them who did not understand as assignment even with the video tutor. Otherwise they are just fine working alone to meet their goal for the class, day, task, week or for the advisory.
I thought it was The Outsiders by S E Hinton because of the reference to Pony Boy and Johnny – but not sure Hinton counts as a controversial author.
Saw Frost but he’s not controversial – liked the challenge!!!
Thank you