Mental health education in schools is crucial because it is important for students to learn to value mental health as much as physical health. Mental health education is important and schools should integrate it into their curriculum, because it will increase understanding, reduce stigma, and eliminate stereotypes. 

Mental health education would be helpful to those who are already struggling because it could help the people around them to create an environment that is comfortable for the people who are struggling since mental health disorders are very common and hard to battle. “Since 1 in 6 U.S. youth ages 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year, it makes sense that mental health should be taught in school” (Hippe 2021). It is necessary for schools to include mental health education since in a class of 30 at least 5 people will struggle with mental health. Another shocking piece of information is that, “Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds” (Lubell and Snow 2022). Mental health is not just a small problem. It affects so many people and, if left untreated, and ignored, can even go as far as to lead to death. 

Mental health education is also necessary because it reduces the stigma around these issues and also prompts kids to seek help before it’s too late. “Not talking about mental health is what leads to shame around it” (Hippe 2021). Also, if mental health is taught in schools adolescents will know what is going on inside of eachothers brains. This will help them to feel understood and, “Students will feel empowered to reach out to a trusted family member, teacher, or friend when needed” (Hippe 2021). Many people who suffer with mental health issues may not even be aware that they have a real disorder that they can get medicine, therapy or other medical help for. As Hughes says, “Not only do we not know about how to understand mental wellbeing, but as a result we might not ask for help when we need it” (Hughes 2022). It is very important that people are able to realize their problem and reach out to someone so they do not have to struggle alone.

Teaching people about mental health will help them to no longer put stereotypes on different illnesses. In high school students hear so many different things about where you are and what people think is going on within. When someone seems to be doing better they are dismissed and deemed fine. Something often heard is, “You can choose to not be depressed” (Neve 2022). This is just not true since depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain. The final stereotype many people have heard is, “All anorexic people are super skinny” (Legg 2022). This is another untrue statement because less than 6% of all people with eating disorders are underweight. These untrue statements are harmful, hurtful and may even be potentially triggering. Implementing mental health education would help to teach people what is truly going on.

Mental health education is important and schools should add it into their curriculum because so many people struggle with different kinds of mental illness. Millions of people are diagnosed with mental disorders every year and it is important for them to know they are not alone in this fight. We must work to make sure those who are fighting daily have help in their fight and feel loved and supported by the people around them.