The Importance of School-Wide Wellness Curriculum

Mental wellness and mental health conditions are interrelated concepts. Mental wellness is the ability to learn and apply life skills, as well as the capacity to enjoy life. Mental health conditions include those that are associated with the brain and those that affect the way an individual thinks, acts and feels. The two concepts can be more than simply a matter of personality. They are related to each other because the thoughts an individual has can affect the way he or she functions in life. Mental disorders can be the result of a physical or mental condition or they may be a result of a mixture of both.


Some of the most common mental health conditions include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, stress, psychosis, schizophrenia, psychosis, delusional disorder, borderline personality disorder, adjustment disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorder. Each of these conditions has a different way of affecting an individual. The degree of impairment resulting from each condition can vary. For example, depression can leave an individual unable to sleep. Bipolar disorder is another example. Individuals who suffer from psychotic disorders may hear messages from the past that make them think things that aren't true, while individuals with delusional disorders see things that aren't there.

There are several ways of measuring wellbeing. These range from self-rated questionnaires on scales used to determine one's general health, to the measurement of mental well-being using questionnaires designed to identify specific disorders. Health professionals use these forms to determine if an individual has depression, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and many other diseases. The effectiveness of these forms of measurement relies upon the respondent's response to questions about his or her daily activities, his or her relationships, his or her job, and any other factors that have a bearing on his or her mental well-being. The methods used for measuring mental wellbeing are similar to those used for measuring physical well-being.

People feel better when they are social, outgoing, and have a support system in their everyday lives. Because of this, it is a good idea to incorporate these components of mental health into the wellness curriculum taught at schools and colleges. Students will be asked to fill out surveys on a regular basis, and they will be asked to describe their feelings on a variety of topics. Knowing what other people feel will help teachers and educators to determine how well students are coping with certain situations, such as what makes them feel happy, sad, or scared.

Self-rated questionnaires are another way of determining mental health conditions. This type of questionnaire compares how people feel about themselves on a daily basis to how they perceive themselves to be in a specific situation. Respondents to these questionnaires are also asked to indicate their level of perceived competence when it comes to a range of activities.

In addition to self-rated questionnaires, teachers can also ask their students to complete objective questionnaires. These questionnaires are designed to gather data on a variety of aspects of a student's life. Teachers should take the time to talk with their students about their personal interests, their academic performance, their emotional health, and their relationships. All of these things are indicators of how a student is coping with his or her daily life.

There are many reasons why school districts require that teachers and educators to create a wellness curriculum. One of the most common reasons is the rising number of mental health issues being identified by students. Today, one out of every two students has at least one diagnosed disorder. An unhealthy society and a poor economy mean that more people are turning to self-help groups for assistance with their mental health. Schools also want their teachers to have access to this information because they believe that healthy mental health will lead to a healthier school environment and a better quality of life for all students.

The creation of a wellness curriculum within the classroom allows teachers to address the needs of their students. This ensures that students are receiving a balanced education that promotes healthy interaction and communication. A good school environment is essential to the learning of all students. Healthy relationships between students and teachers build a strong foundation for students to become productive members of society. Healthy relationships within a school also contributes to the positive development of its students' emotional and physical health.