Why It's Critical to Teach Kids The Importance of Good Mental Health

Why in the world do elementary-aged kids need to understand their mental health? Can they understand it? Obviously, we know why adults need some education and mental health awareness. High-stress jobs, responsibilities, expectations at home and work, addictions, and many more problems that arise during adulthood. I can even understand the need for teens to be more fully aware of what is happening in their rapidly developing brain. In fact, there are quite a few books on the subject. It’s a volatile place, the teenage brain–something parents and students ought to understand. 

But grade school kids? First graders, second graders? Shouldn’t they be freely learning, filled with joy, and experiencing all that childhood has to offer? A part of you, I am certain, is in hearty agreement. But there is another part of you—not pessimistic, but realistic—that knows such a world is far from our reach. In fact, it’s almost painful to think about a child suffering from mental illness or a child living in a situation or who has a traumatic experiences that will leave inevitable scars. 

It shouldn’t be this way. But it is. We live in a broken world with broken people. That has consequences. And far too often, those consequences affect our children. Whether genetic, environmental, or even pandemic related, our kids are being raised in a very broken world. In fact, 7.7 million U.S. kids have at least one mental health disorder. 

Recently, the National Survey of Children's Health reported that 5% of Indiana's kids were diagnosed with depression and 11% with anxiety. By the time these kids enter high school, 16% reported suffering from a major depressive episode, and nearly 20% seriously consider suicide. 

Okay, that’s enough bad news. Because there is hope. There is healing. There is a way forward. 

Meet Clyde

He’s a neuron and he is ready to help your kids learn about mental health.

So much of our lives are built around relationships. Through relationships, we not only understand other people but also ourselves. From a very young age, the way we interact with others begins to shape who we believe ourselves to be and the worth we believe we have. So when a child’s greatest influences teach them untruths about who they are and the value they hold, their mental health begins to be compromised. But it’s in this moment that RemedyLIVE and the Get Schooled Tour Jr. is positioned to speak truth to our kids, to shine light in the darkness, and offer hope when they feel defeated. We make it simple, fun, full of great information, and easy to understand. We give them one main point to focus on, one simple truth to grab on to, and one key takeaway that moves them forward. 

The Main Point: It’s Important to Keep Your Brain Healthy

We all have physical health. We go to the doctors, try to eat right, maybe take some vitamins, and hopefully get some exercise. We don’t like being sick. But when we are, we do whatever we have to so we can get better. Kids learn this from a very early age. I don’t know a single mom that doesn’t agonize over their kid’s health. Social media is filled with questions and concerns over this skin rash, that cough, or a stubborn fever. And there is never a shortage of advice doled out from every angle. 

But when was the last time you found yourself seeking the sage advice of the internet (or the real advice from your doctor) regarding your kid’s mental health? Perhaps you have. But if you have, you’re likely in the minority. It’s just something we don’t often think about. This is where the Get Schooled Tour Jr. can help. Mental health is confusing. I can check a fever. I can hear a cough and help blow a nose. I can kiss and fix bumps and bruises. The mental health of our kids paints a more complex picture. Fortunately, the Get Schooled Tour Jr. helps kids understand how their brain works and teaches them the importance of keeping their brains healthy. Along with a few tips on how. 

The Simple Truth: You are Love and Valued 

Have you ever believed something so sincerely only to find out later it was actually a lie? It’s truly a terrible feeling. Words like betrayal, disloyalty, and sellout come to mind. Now imagine hearing something about yourself so much that you began to truly own those words, ideas, or even actions. For example, if you were constantly reminded how loved you were, how beautiful or talented you were–and those words became a foundation for how you felt about yourself. That would be pretty good, right? 

But what if the opposite was true? What if you were told that you were dumb, worthless, an inconvenience, or a mistake? Eventually, you would wear those words as truth too. These lies about who you are would become true to you. It’s lies like these that drastically impact our kids' mental health. 

The Get Schooled Tour Jr. hits these untruths head-on by reminding the kids repeatedly that they are loved and valued; they have been created on purpose for a purpose. However, these words do more than just provide some incredible and straightforward truths to grab hold of. These truths tell the students that if they are feeling anything less than unconditionally loved, there is a problem, and there is a trusted adult–whether at home or in school–that wants to know so they can help. 

The Key Takeaway: Don’t Keep Your Feelings A Secret. Find a Trusted Adult

Sometimes it’s hard for an adult to properly and effectively communicate feelings. Just imagine how difficult it can be for a child. They often lack the cognitive awareness to understand it, the brain development to properly express it, and the language to talk about it. Adding insult to injury is the shame that often accompanies feelings associated with depression, anxiety, loneliness, bullying, and others. Our kids need patient and loving adults who can listen and help when needed. They need dependable adults they can talk to about their secret struggles. 

Telling students about mental health is good. Reminding them they are loved and valued is even better, but providing them the resources and tools they need to act on what they know is the only way forward. The Get Schooled Tour Jr. takes the necessary time and attention to help kids process the information and identify who can be their trusted adult. At the same time, we help prepare teachers for those conversations. Because a teacher, coach, principal, or school counselor is likely to become that adult for a least one child in that classroom. 

Don’t Take it From Me, I’m Biased

Students and teachers from elementary to high school get it. They are hooked once they have experienced a Get Schooled Tour or the Junior edition. Mental health is no longer an abstract, irrelevant, or obscure idea. Get Schooled hits them right where they live, and it sticks. 

“Not sharing your feelings makes you more sad. I was bullied once, but when I shared it, I felt relieved. I felt like a weight was lifted off me.” - Leah, 10 years old.

“You can’t keep secrets. You have to let it out. If you keep it in, you will be sad or hurt or angry.” - Sarah, 8 years old

If it hasn’t been yet, the Get Schooled Tour Jr. needs to make a visit to your kid’s classroom. In the meantime, don’t be afraid to talk to your kids or the kids in your classroom about mental health. Help them express their feelings in fun but safe way. But most of all, keep reminding them just how much they are loved and valued. 

By Steven Kozak