Suicide is never a feel good topic… unless you’re a whack job… which is not a technical term, but a good term to use for someone you don’t want to make your best friend… although these types of people cause really good stories; just rarely in a good way. Suicide is important to address because it continues to ravage young people. Mental health, in general, is a growing concern especially as more and more young people are diagnosed with anxiety disorders and depression. Parents like to blame the schools and schools like to blame the parents, but this is a problem that needs both sides to pay attention. As a therapist I could say a lot about what parents should do to help like be a good role model of healthy living, worry more about spending time with your kids than buying them stuff, and find the balance of accepting mistakes and being a good disciplinarian. This article, however, is focused on how the school system is increasing the chance of suicide and hurting mental health. I added that previous part about parents as a bonus because I’m so thoughtful and/or arrogant about parenting, which is easy to be when I’m not one. Not being a parent myself allows me the opportunity to have the illusion that I know everything there is about good parenting.
I recently listened to an excellent book, David & Goliath, by bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell. In this book he mentions that suicide is higher in developed countries like Canada… yes, we made the book. There are two main reasons for this: One, we need to feel like we matter, and two, we need someone to hate besides ourselves (hate is topic discussed in a previous post). The author describes the first issue with the idea that we are better off being a big fish in a little pond than an average fish in a big pond. The author’s one example uses the elite program of Harvard science students versus a regular university. Being the top of the graduating class at Harvard is incredible for your future, but based on the studies he presents, you’re better off being the best at a non-descript university than being average at Harvard. Being the best, even at a non-descript school, helps you feel like you matter and pushes you towards a better future whereas being “average”, even at Harvard, typically puts you in an “average” mindset that holds you back from bigger things. Thus, younger students will do better in smaller schools because their abilities will more likely be recognized and not simply fade into the background. Academically, smaller achievements make bigger noise. Sports wise, average athletes will get to be on teams that further develops their sense of belonging. In addition, shyer students who would just hide in a large school are more likely to get involved in clubs, plays, and student parliament. Ultimately, the fewer the number of students, the more you matter. Or to use the negative, the greater number of students, the less you matter. Despite this, many school boards are pushing for fewer and bigger schools. Bigger schools are appealing because they can offer more clubs, but at a certain size, students feel alienated and have increased social anxiety, which leads to social divisions as they seek refuge in cliques. This also contributes to reduced overall individual involvement in school activities because there isn’t a sense of community that is important for students’ mental health. This follows the idea I’ve been taught that leaders should assume 20% of a group will get involved and 80% won’t. If the school (or any institution) gets too large, that’s a pretty hefty 80% not being involved. Not only does this idea of being a big fish in a small pond affect students, but teachers will also be affected. With too large a staff, the teachers will have a harder time feeling valued or important. Add to this the fact that teachers will have a harder time developing the key relationships they need to feel support and encouragement to be at their best in the classroom, they will therefore have reduced classroom performance further hurting the students.
Not only are fewer and bigger schools a problem, but school boards are pushing the use of technology with an initiative to give every student an iPad to use. In our tech savvy world this makes sense (except from a pocket book perspective), but they’re actually making things worse for the students from a mental health standpoint. As one article I came across said higher internet use has a connection with increased anxiety and depression, which means increased chance of suicide. It’s funny how what seems like a good idea can actually be the worst thing for us, but this idea will eventually catch on in the education world where there is always a new idea popping up. I’m sure going unplugged and being more hands-on will soon be returning to our classrooms as more evidence points out the dangers of too much technology.
Finally, here’s an article that points out the dangers of integration in the classroom, which is a popular idea right now in the education field: http://www.todaysparent.com/family/education/why-integration-isn’t-working-for-special-needs-kids-or-their-classmates/
The bottom line is both parents and the education system are adding to the increasing problem of mental illness and suicide issues, which means we need to re-evaluate what we’re doing and what we can do better because what we do matters.
Rev Chad David, www.ChadDavid.ca, learning to love dumb people