Every year on October 10th, World Mental Health Day is observed globally to raise awareness about mental health issues and to advocate for better mental health support systems. This day is particularly relevant in our fast-paced, digitally driven world, where the lines between work, education, and personal time are increasingly blurred.
As a school, CHS continue to make pupil well-being one of our key priorities. World Mental Health Day is something that is very dear to us, with assemblies and key speakers dedicated to promoting the message of caring for our mental health. Extra-curricular clubs and societies are key opportunities to enhance mental health, and we go the extra mile to ensure all children are included and involved, with recent additions such as baking, sewing, yoga and virtual school trips.
Education & Mental Health- A Crucial Connection
One area where mental health is often a concern is education, with many of our applicants feeling that they simply no longer fit the mould of a traditional school. Schools like CHS offer a flexible, high-quality education option, but as with any educational model, there are mental health implications to consider and work to be done to ensure that students have the optimal educational experience when they step through our (virtual) doors.
Mental health and education are deeply intertwined. Students face numerous pressures, from academic performance to social integration, all of which can have significant impacts on their emotional well-being. Studies show that students who struggle with mental health issues often experience lower academic outcomes, and conversely, academic stress can trigger or worsen mental health problems.
With the pandemic accelerating the shift to online learning, millions of students worldwide have online schools like CHS. Online schooling offers many benefits, and as our student body proves, can be life-enhancing to those who cannot attend a traditional school, due to either mental health or extracurricular reasons.
Supporting Mental Health in the Classroom
Online schooling can be designed to support both academic excellence and student well-being, as is evidenced every day across our classrooms. CHS provides a unique combination of a structured, rigorous education, whilst promoting mental health benefits through a range of features:
1. A Flexible Learning Environment
One of the core benefits of online schooling is flexibility. Cambridge Home School Online allows students to learn from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the stress of long commutes and rigid timetables. This flexibility can significantly reduce the anxiety associated with traditional schooling, which can be overwhelming for some students. The ability to set a more personalised schedule (within the bounds of the timetable) allows students to balance their studies with self-care.
2. Smaller Class Sizes and Individual Attention
Unlike many physical schools where class sizes can be overwhelming, leading to students feeling overlooked, Cambridge Home School Online maintains smaller class sizes, with a maximum of 10 per class. This allows for more personalised attention and ensures that each student’s emotional and academic needs are addressed. Teachers can easily notice when a student is struggling and provide timely interventions, helping to reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety.
3. Mental Health Awareness in Curriculum Design
The school integrates mental health awareness into its curriculum and daily life. Courses are designed to be both challenging and manageable, ensuring that students are intellectually stimulated without feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, the school encourages activities that promote mindfulness and emotional well-being, such as regular breaks, creative assignments, and opportunities for self-expression through art and writing. Our Student Kindness Movement encourages children to ‘pay it forward’ with acts of kindness to their fellow classmates.
4. Parental Involvement and Support
In online schooling, parents often play a more direct role in their child’s education. Cambridge Home School Online provides resources and support to help parents monitor their children’s progress and mental health. The school encourages open communication between teachers, students, and parents, creating a strong support network that can identify and address mental health concerns early.
5. Reduced Bullying and Peer Pressure
Bullying is a significant mental health issue in traditional school environments. According to the World Health Organisation, bullying is a leading cause of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts among young people. Online schooling significantly reduces the risk of bullying and peer pressure. By learning from home, students are less exposed to negative social dynamics and can focus on their studies in a more secure and supportive environment.
Tips for Good Mental Health Whilst Learning Online
While there are many mental health benefits to online schooling, we are always mindful of supporting students to take time for self-care and management. Whether in the classroom, or later in life in the workplace, this is a tool for life. These are some tips from our teaching staff:
1. Mind Your Screen Time
We all know that spending extended hours in front of a screen can lead to a range of problems and CHS addresses this by encouraging regular breaks and incorporating offline activities into the curriculum. Still, students and parents need to be mindful of screen time and promote healthy habits. CHS student & staff yoga has recently proved extremely popular in starting the day with mindfulness and stretching!
School Yoga in full Vinyasa!
2. Take it Offline
Parents often worry that online schooling can result in social isolation, and in our experience, this is not true, but it takes effort and dedication to exploring the world outside your computer. Although CHS offers ample opportunities for virtual collaboration and socialisation, we passionately encourage that in-person interaction that is such a key part of childhood. It is essential to encourage extracurricular activities, hobbies, and face-to-face interactions outside of school hours.
One of our Pre-Prep students, Charlie, making the most of his screen break!
3. Keep Motivated by Reaching Out!
While online schooling offers flexibility, it also requires a high level of self-discipline and motivation. Try to work on time management and staying focused without the structure of a traditional classroom. CHS provides robust support systems, including regular check-ins and mentorship from teachers, but students still need to develop strong organisational skills to succeed.
Promoting Student Mental Health on World Mental Health Day
On World Mental Health Day, it’s important to reflect on how education systems—both traditional and online—can better support student mental health. Cambridge Home School Online exemplifies how online education can offer a supportive, flexible environment for students, but it also highlights the importance of balancing academic demands with emotional well-being. With the right balance of structure, support, and self-care, online schooling can be a powerful tool for both education and mental health.
Let this World Mental Health Day be a reminder that mental health is just as important as academic success, and both students and educators must work together to create environments that nurture the mind as much as they do knowledge.
If you would like to find out more about joining our nurturing community of students and educators, please do reach out to the admissions team.