5 ways to help students with health issues when they are at school

School is one such setting where stakeholders come to learn, work, and play. Students spend most of their time in school rather than at home, and academic achievement is the primary goal. However, the health and well-being of students should also be a priority, as academic achievement and the health status of students are strongly correlated. The healthier the students are, the better their performance will be. Therefore, any health issues of students should be immediately addressed at school.

Let us consider the various health issues of students before elaborating on how to address these issues in school. 

What are the most common mental health issues in the student community?

Health issues of students in school can be broadly classified into:

• Physical health issues – Eg:  asthma, obesity, poor nutrition, headache, cold, fever, injuries, sprains, fractures, lack of physical activity, and poor oral health
• Emotional and mental health issues – Eg: depression, stress, anxiety, addiction, eating and sleeping disorders, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Social health issues – Eg: difficulty in communication, relationship building, creating own support system, participating in community and cultural activities 

Why student health is important in schools?

Student health is important in schools for the following reasons:

Academic performance

Student health is crucial in schools because it directly impacts academic performance. Healthy students are more likely to attend school regularly, participate actively in class, and perform better academically. Good physical health supports cognitive functions like concentration, memory, and problem-solving, which are essential for learning.

Lifelong benefits

Healthy students perform better academically, leading to lifelong benefits. Research shows a strong link between positive health behaviors (like physical activity, healthy diets, and avoiding substance use) and academic achievement.

Teaching healthy habits

Schools play a vital role in teaching healthy habits early, reducing health risks, and promoting equity. By addressing individual, family, school, and community factors, we can enhance both student health and learning outcomes.

Promoting equity

Promoting health equity ensures that all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to succeed. Schools that prioritize student health through nutritious meals, physical education, mental health support, and a safe environment help foster lifelong healthy habits.

Preventing future health issues

Addressing health issues early can prevent more severe problems later in life. Investing in student health is investing in the future, as it leads to a more productive, informed, and resilient society

Identification of student health issues at school

Identification of student health issues at school is crucial to maintaining a healthy school. Students with health issues need to be identified and addressed at the right moment. Frequent health checkups and teachers’ observation and identification of changes in students’ physical, emotional, mental, or social behaviours are necessary. To be more organized, schools can create or use some self-assess school health tools. These assessments help identify strengths and weaknesses and create effective action plans for improving student health. The following tools can be used as reference:

• School Health Index (SHI)
• Physical Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (PECAT)
• Health Education Curriculum Analysis Tool (HECAT)
• Wellness Policy in Action Tool (WPAT)

Also Read: 5 Mental Health Tips For School Leaders

WSCC framework

Schools play an important role in addressing health issues, promoting health and safety of students, and establishing lifelong healthy behaviours. 

The WSCC framework can be used to address health issues in schools. This framework consists of  10 components and is student-centered, focusing on the role of the community in supporting the school, the connections between health and academic achievement, and the importance of evidence-based school policies and practices.

How can schools build a healthy environment for students?

• Supportive health services

This method provides on-the-field help that should be made available to students whenever they have health issues, whether physical, mental, or social. Full-time school nurses, student counselors, and first aid services are highly recommended. Experienced nurses can handle physical injuries and various health illnesses, while expert counselors can manage emotional, mental, and social issues.

• Integrated school-based interventions

Schools cannot and should not be expected to solve all the health and social problems that young people face. Families, healthcare workers, media, religious organizations, community organizations that serve youth, and young people themselves must also be systematically involved. However, schools can provide a critical facility in which many agencies might work together to maintain the well-being of young people.

• Health-promoting curriculum, instruction, and training

Integrating school curricula and books with good health-related information is the best way to develop healthy habits and routines in students. Conceptually based wellness courses such as physical education, first aid, mental health, and physical fitness provide skill-based as well as self-management skills that have real-world application for students.

• Information-based solutions

Prevention is better than cure, which is why information-based solutions are necessary to disseminate health awareness knowledge and tips to students. School principals, teachers, guest speakers, health experts, and counselors can utilize posters, websites, and social media to have a positive impact on students’ well-being.

• Health-promoting school policies, procedures, and environments

Imparting health education to students and creating awareness about the importance of health (physical, emotional, mental, and social) is one way of supporting students with health issues. Traditional classroom-based or individual-based health education can be given, and classroom or individual routines, procedures, and activities can be designed and implemented to create a safe and healthy environment in school.

What more can schools do?

• All members of the school community should be allowed to participate in school decision-making activities, such as opinion surveys, electing class representatives, student parliaments, focus groups, in-class feedback on learning classroom activities, and an element of student’s voice in teaching and learning methods. 
• A conducive environment at school can be created to make students feel supported and safe by providing access to meaningful activities, such as student clubs and interest groups that can handle students’ health issues. 
• The anxiety that students experience about examinations and assessments can be reduced by introducing less stressful forms of tests or assessments according to the learning levels of students. 
• Teaching methods that create a positive classroom environment and well-being, such as cooperative learning, student-centered methods, self-organized time, and outdoor activities, can be adopted.
• Topics related to healthy eating, physical fitness, mental health, bullying, positive relationships, etc., can be discussed to create health awareness. 
• Education for intercultural and democratic understanding can be integrated into different school subjects and extracurricular activities, such as human rights in social science and empathy in literature. 
• Conflict management and solutions to bullying and harassment can be student-led approaches. 
•  The physical environment of the school can be improved to make it more student-friendly, by introducing new furniture, carpeted areas, appropriate color schemes, safe toilet areas, and recreational areas. 
• Healthier eating habits can be inculcated by providing healthy options in the school canteen, such as avoiding high amounts of sugar, saturated fats, and salt. 
• Schools can collaborate with parents to enhance students’ achievement and sense of purpose in school.

Wrap-up

Any kind of student health issue cannot be ignored at school. Continuous observation, monitoring, and recording of student health, and attending to it at the right time with the proper method is a school’s responsibility. Good health is just not the absence of physical illness but it is also relevant to mental, emotional, and social health.

Read More: 5 behaviour strategies to help school staff nurture wellbeing

FAQs

1. What is the role of school in students’ health?

Schools play a vital role in students’ health by providing nutritious meals, physical education, and mental health support. They teach healthy habits, create safe environments, and address health issues early. By promoting overall well-being, schools help students perform better academically and develop lifelong healthy behaviours.

2. How to improve the health of school children?

School children’s health can be improved by incorporating regular physical activity, promoting nutritious eating habits, and providing mental health support. Encourage hygiene practices, create a safe and supportive environment, and integrate health education into the curriculum. Promote a culture of wellness and model healthy behaviours for students.

3. How do you give health education to school students?

We can provide health education through a structured curriculum that includes lessons on nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and hygiene. Integrate these topics into daily lessons and activities, using interactive methods like discussions, projects, and practical demonstrations. Organize workshops, health fairs, and guest speaker sessions. Collaborating with healthcare professionals and providing resources like pamphlets and online materials can further improve students’ understanding and practice of healthy habits.

4. What are 10 tips for good health?

10 ways for students to keep a healthy lifestyle:

• Follow a healthy diet: Eat balanced meals rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Stay fit: Incorporate regular exercise or physical activity into the routine.
• Avoid late-night studying: Prioritize adequate sleep for optimal health and academic performance.
• Balance commitments: Manage time effectively to reduce stress and maintain balance.
• Find techniques to reduce the level of stress: Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or relaxation exercises.
• Keeping f hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Maintaining individual health practices: Attend regular check-ups and practice good hygiene habits.
• Abandoning harmful habits: Avoid smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and substance abuse.
• Keeping a journal: Reflect on thoughts, feelings, and goals to promote self-awareness.
• Developing social well-being: Foster positive relationships, participate in social activities, and seek support when needed.

5. How to promote a healthy lifestyle in school?

Promote a healthy lifestyle in school by offering nutritious meal options, implementing regular physical activity programs, and providing mental health support. Educate students on healthy habits through curriculum integration, create a safe and supportive environment, and involve parents and the community in wellness initiatives.