Mental Stress: Diakonie raises alarms before school start - School starting imminently, Diakonie raises warning due to increased psychological stress
Amidst growing concerns about mental health issues in children and youth, Diakonie Saxony, a prominent social welfare organisation, has raised an alarm ahead of the upcoming school start. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strong influence of digital media continue to be major contributing factors to this generation's mental health struggles.
The call for action from Diakonie's board comes as waiting times for an initial consultation have significantly increased, and counseling resources are proving insufficient to meet the demand for mental health support. Dietrich Bauer, the chairman of the Diakonie board, has emphasised the need for more attention to children and youth, particularly ahead of the school start.
Current strategies and policies in Saxony aim to address the increasing mental strain through targeted support. Special education and individualised support are being provided through special needs schools, which offer tailored academic education and flexible curricula designed to foster social and emotional development. One example is the Productive Learning (PL) program for grades 8 and 9, which supports students struggling in mainstream schools by blending practical experience with academic education, thus addressing mental strain and enhancing engagement.
Digital and app-based preventive programs are also being employed to mitigate risks caused or intensified by digital media. For vocational school students, app-based addiction prevention programs like “ready4life” are being used at a national level, including Germany, to reduce problematic internet use, tobacco consumption, and stress. Despite their proven effectiveness, usage rates among students vary, highlighting an ongoing challenge in engagement.
In addition, career guidance and counselling initiatives are in place to stabilise students’ educational trajectories and reduce stress by facilitating informed career choices, improving motivation, and supporting transitions from school to the workforce.
Recognising the importance of mental health risks connected to school attendance problems, academic research based in Saxony emphasises the need for supportive school environments and early interventions to address these challenges and reduce absenteeism related to mental strain.
Bauer's call to action includes focusing on the emotional well-being of children and youth, not just their grades. Experts attribute the increasing mental strain on children and youth to the aftermath of the Corona pandemic, emphasising the need for adequate attention and resources to address the mental health needs of children and youth.
As more families seek help for mental health issues related to their children and youth, it is crucial to address the growing concern and ensure that children and youth have the support they need to thrive in their academic and personal lives.
[1] Productive Learning (PL) program [2] ready4life [3] Bundesagentur für Arbeit [4] Studies on mental health risks connected to school attendance problems
- To equip children and youth with the necessary emotional tools for coping in the aftermath of the pandemic and the strong influence of digital media, Diakonie Saxony is advocating for a more focused approach on mental health, which includes implementing the Productive Learning (PL) program for grades 8 and 9 as a supportive academic environment.
- As a part of efforts to mitigate risks resulting from digital media, Diakonie Saxony, along with other national initiatives, is employing app-based prevention programs such as ready4life, providing digital resources to help vocational school students manage issues like problematic internet use, tobacco consumption, and stress.
- To gain further insight into the challenges faced by children and youth in terms of mental health and school attendance, academic studies conducted in Saxony are emphasizing the importance of creating supportive school environments and employing early interventions to reduce absenteeism related to mental strain.
