On Saturday (24th January), we celebrate International Education Day. This year’s theme, ‘The Power of Youth in Co-Creating Education’, is a call to action. It acknowledges that students are no longer just sitting at desks waiting to be taught, but that they should also be the architects of the future of learning. But as we look at how to improve our schools, there is one part of the foundation that remains shaky: mental health.
Education: The Foundation of Every Solution
In almost every training session The Academy at Harmless delivers, when we ask the question, ‘What can we do to reduce the stigma?’ the answer provided most frequently is: ‘get educated’. This isn’t just a common answer, it is the absolute truth. Education is the foundation for everything we do. Stigma thrives in the shadows of ignorance and fear. It remains one of the greatest barriers to people reaching out for help or feeling safe enough to talk about their difficulties with friends, family or co-workers. When we don’t understand the ‘why’ behind mental health challenges, we fill that gap with judgement. By fixing the educational foundation, we remove that barrier and create a pathway to safety.
A Mission Beyond the Classroom
While schools provide an important environment, mental health conversations and education must happen outside the classroom as well. Young people should have the opportunity to be part of the agenda everywhere: in sports clubs, in workplaces, in community centres, and at the kitchen table. This year’s theme of ‘co-creation’ isn’t just for teachers, it’s a challenge for all of us. Whatever your role, capacity, or relationship, think about what you can do to contribute towards education on mental health. Ask yourself:
- Am I creating a space where young people feel safe to lead the conversation on mental health?
- How can I support them in building a world where ‘mental health literacy’ is a common language for everyone?
- How can I empower the young people in my life to be leaders and co-creators of mental health education?
- Have I built my own foundation of mental health literacy so that I can provide a steady platform for young people to lead from?
If we succeed in co-creating this new version of education, our success won’t just be measured by certificates or grades. It will be measured by the psychological safety of the people around us. Education’s ultimate role is to prepare us for life – and life requires the tools to take care of ourselves and the empathy to support each other.
Take the Next Step: Opportunities for Your Own Education
Co-creating with young people starts with our own commitment to learning. To build a space where youth can truly lead, we must first educate ourselves on the realities they face. At the Harmless Academy, training sessions provide the perfect starting point to gain the insights and skills necessary to be a meaningful partner in this movement.
You can learn more about The Academy at Harmless via the button below.
