There has been 450% increase in mental health reports from students over the last 10 years. ECINS is supporting student mental health with digital journals through the Student Engagement Module.
Support systems need to be implemented in schools to respond to students’ needs and the rise in mental health cases. ECINS proposes that supporting student mental health with digital journals is a large part of the solution.
1 in 5 young people in England have a probable mental disorder. This suggests that roughly 5 students per class could be struggling and need professional support. Identifying those who require help is vital; many mental health issues fly under the radar.
Students experiencing mental health struggles can be reluctant to reach out. Supposedly, only 25% of mental health suffers in the UK access help. This leaves ¾ of people with mental health conditions to suffer alone, not receiving helpful treatments and potentially leaving the problem to get worse.
Many find it difficult to speak out about mental health. Almost 40% of people think that mental health shouldn’t be discussed. There is a lot of shame and stigma surrounding mental health, causing many to battle in silence for fear of judgement.
However, schools (and society in general) are spreading mental health awareness and encouraging people to speak openly.
Young people have never needed more mental health support. Removing shame and stigma by supporting student mental health with digital journals helps young people to feel safe and understood.
The Benefits of Journaling
Research has long proclaimed the benefits of journaling. Various studies have found that journaling and expressive writing can be beneficial to various aspects of physical health: immune function, blood pressure, lung function, liver function, sleep, and reduced days spent in hospital.
Studies have also established various social and behavioural benefits of journaling on students specifically:
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The benefits of supporting student mental health with digital journals are endless; research reflects that essentially every area of pupil’s school life can be improved. Whilst benefits like improved academic performance are important, outcomes such as greater psychological well-being and reduced depressive symptoms are benefits that stay with students after the school day ends.
“To promote better mental health and adjustment among young people,” says Willem Kuyken (Psychology Professor at the University of Oxford). “We need policies that foster home connectedness, friendship and a positive school climate and consider young people’s individual differences, needs and vulnerabilities.”
Digital journalling provides students with an outlet to disclose their needs, differences and vulnerabilities. The benefits of this simple exercise are priceless in improving students life both inside and beyond the class environment.
ECINS’ Solution
ECINS is supporting student mental health with digital journals through the Student Engagement Module.
The SEM has a mood tracking feature that encourages students to engage in digital journaling. The mood tracker is designed to support students’ mental wellbeing by disclosing how they feel and what they may be struggling with.
The SEM is accessed via app or web browser. Students can choose a facial expression to signify their mood and write a journal entry about how they are feeling or how their day was. Young people can use the tool to best support them.
MyPortal360 ensures that information logged in the SEM is protected. Only trusted staff members can access student responses, guaranteeing information confidentiality and safety. Concerns can be addressed quickly because trusted staff members access them in real-time.
Staff members gain an insight into a student’s mental health by looking at their digital journal entries, indicating which pupils need help and the appropriate course of action.
Stigmas surrounding mental health are less likely to restrict students who digital journal. It is crucial to have a feature dedicated to mental wellbeing.
Moreover, discussing mental health struggles digitally may be easier for some, rather than having to reach out to a member of staff and discuss face-to-face. ECINS’ mood tracker gives students the confidence to speak out.
The other SEM features support students in other aspects of their lives, but also contribute to lightening a pupil’s mental load:
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These features relieve pressures by promoting organisation and providing resources that advise students on various issues. The SEM is dedicated to giving students wraparound support. It offers an outlet to disclose mental health issues and to ask for support from trusted staff members.
ECINS is working with schools to support student mental health and cultivate a happier, healthier environment for young people to learn and grown in.