What about their mental health
NORTHCLIFF - It is possible that many Grade 7 and 12 learners will return to the classroom, not quite in the right state of mind due to challenges and experiences caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.
It is possible that many Grade 7 and 12 learners will return to the classroom, not quite in the right state of mind due to challenges and experiences caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.
This is according to Occupational Therapist, Counsellor and the Founder of Growing Champions Sam Toweel-Moore. And if schools fail to address the mental health needs and concerns of learners, it will be very hard for them to mentally present in class.
Toweel-Moore explained, “We don’t attach to the brain what we don’t find interesting and fun. When you are in a depressed state, nothing feels interesting or fun so the brain doesn’t attach to it easily.”
The grade 7s and 12s would have been looking forward to their final year at their school and have now had to make peace with letting go of many anticipated experiences. Things such as matric dances, sports festivals, grade outings and even school holidays are sure to be cancelled and all learners will be doing at school is learning.
Toweel-Moore expressed, “These are very demoralising things for children and they can feel very deflated, and having to motivate them to keep pushing through the year is going to be very tough.”
The challenges experienced at home, such as parents losing jobs and income, the task of getting to and from school safely every day and not putting anyone at risk of the virus, and the difficulties that await them to finish and understand the syllabus, might push to ask themselves if they can make it through the academic year.
Toweel-Moore acknowledged that learners will benefit academically by being back in class, and receiving the support they need, but the schools need to be mindful of what the children have been through.
Toweel-Moore stated, “Schools should be getting therapists in to work with the learners to start looking at anxiety and depression, and help them overcome these things so that they can go forward.” This along with all the physical distancing they will be required to adhere to will be instrumental in completing the year.
