Supporting mental health in schools by cultivating an inclusive environment for all

June 19, 2023, 15:42 , 15:42 by

While June heralds the official start of summer, it also marks the beginning of Canada’s National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. These celebrations are dedicated to recognizing and commemorating two historically marginalized groups — Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ people — and are an excellent opportunity for educators fostering inclusive environments in their schools to acknowledge and address the challenges they face.

Educators are committing to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) for all students — especially groups that endure higher rates of mental health challenges as a result of the discrimination they face. For example, according to The Trevor Project’s 2023 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 41% of LGBTQ+ youth say they “seriously considered attempting suicide” in the past year. The group also reported that 22% of LGBTQ Native/Indigenous young people had attempted suicide, double the rate of white young people, and the highest rate of any group. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, LGBTQ individuals face higher rates of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and phobic disorders, suicidality, self-harm and substance use issues than non-LGBTQ people. Additionally, Statistics Canada reports that suicide rates among First Nations people, Métis and Inuit were significantly higher than among non-Indigenous people, with the rate among First Nations people three times higher than that of non-Indigenous people.

An inclusive approach can help all student groups feel welcome at school. Here are five ways educators can create a more affirming student environment.

1. Engage in professional development.

Continuous learning is key to becoming more attuned to the needs of marginalized groups, especially as understanding of their needs evolves. Remind professional peers that as society becomes more inclusive, fresh attention needs to be brought to groups that may be historically underrepresented.

Training opportunities can educate staff on new approaches to inclusivity and offer a chance for colleagues to share best practices they have implemented in their own classrooms. You can also encourage them to research more about various groups, including those groups’ histories, challenges and unique contributions to society, and then share what they learned with the rest of the staff to raise attention and improve service to all students. Taking these steps can help establish and maintain a unified approach toward inclusivity.

2. Amplify the importance of a welcoming community for all students.

Schools should aim to embrace all students equally. Demonstrate to children that school is a safe place by creating cultural norms that emphasize respect for every student and student group. A key guiding principle must be zero tolerance for any bullying, with school and classroom regulations that underscore the importance of an inclusive environment that celebrates each individual’s differences.

You can also bolster your students’ well-being holistically by engaging social emotional learning (SEL) skills in your classrooms and curriculum. This can help foster empathy, social awareness, relationship development and more.

3. Create support networks so students know their school is a safe place.

Every student wants to feel a sense of belonging, and a lack of it can negatively impact their overall well-being and personal development. Hosting affinity clubs and peer support groups can create an atmosphere that allows students to connect and share freely. The encouragement that comes with feeling accepted by a like-minded group can help them manage challenges that might be present outside the school community.

Another element of an inclusive school is resources that validate each student’s journey and let them know individual guidance is available. Consider creating a library of materials that promote better mental health, and check out this article for additional ideas.

4. Prioritize representation in your curriculum.

Ensure your learning environment includes a diverse approach to materials, from curriculum and textbooks to signage and visual cues. All students want to feel that their lived experience is reflected in culturally relevant books and other materials.

By tapping multiple voices to help integrate diverse perspectives, experiences and histories into the curriculum, you can enrich the learning experience for all students and help champion an inclusive environment that values diversity.

5. Conduct universal mental health screenings.

Universal screening has been recognized as an equitable and fair way to ensure no student’s needs are overlooked.

By conducting universal screening, especially at the beginning of the school year, educators and school health professionals can identify which students from all groups need additional support. Similar to screenings for grade-level academic competencies, this information enables educators to put a plan in place to address gaps. Ongoing screening can measure progress and assess whether additional intervention is needed.

As you strive to create an inclusive community that focuses on your students’ overall well-being — particularly groups that have been historically marginalized and underserved, such as Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ students — it’s imperative to identify students who would benefit from additional support. For free resources and tools, visit Pearson's Mental Health Resource Centre.