Social change idea proposal - Essay Example

Titus Rock Manickam Order No. 298452 09 May 2009 SOCIAL CHANGE IDEA PROPOSAL Introduction The majority of school going children with mental problems does not have access to resources to address their personal and academic concerns. A great share of the responsibility is with the teachers who interact with pupils on daily basis. Mental problems are increasing with school going children as social values with regard to family has substantially changed and there are family conflicts and single parents raising children.

As a result, children are most affected and unable to express their opinion due to fear and other inhibitive factors. These occurrences lead to tremendous mental pressure in children.The inability of teachers to copeEarlier on, the pressure arising from mental problems in children was less and normally teachers tended to look the other way, reprimand or counsel such children. However, these tendencies cannot work anymore. (Burke, Robert W & Myers, Barbara Kimes). The heavy curriculum and peer pressure requires a student to perform despite his or her difficult background.

On the other hand, teachers find it difficult to perform their teaching duties as well as take on the role of counselors. If it were a question of a few handful of students beset with mental health, it would not have bothered the teachers so much. However, the number of such students is quite high and is increasing.Moreover, children are exposed to teachers much of their time. Hence, there is the need to integrate a relationship that goes beyond teaching alone. The child must be able to see the teacher as his or her guide and friend.

The responsibility of the teacher in developing such a relationship is quite high although it is possible to achieve within reasonable time. It is equally important for parents to make themselves available to their children so that there is no gap which may prove debilitating later on.The child is only the tip of the iceberg in the social environment where repeated failure to attend to the child’s needs have pushed the child to gangs, drugs and violence. In such scenario the values taught and practiced by teachers challenge children to notice them and follow suit.

The child’s background plays a vital role in the assessment of his mental health in the classroom. It is mainly children from broken families who suffer mental difficulties (Lipsett, Anthea). Irrespective of the origin of the problem, the school has become the place where the child finds opportunity to nurture and grow. In the school, the teacher plays the pivotal role in shaping the child’s life. So, even if the school has separate counselors to deal with children with mental difficulties, the teacher is the first person the child will respond to (Han, Susan S & Weiss).

Undoubtedly, the task to communicate and relate with a child with mental health issues is difficult and testing. Such children are withdrawn, lack concentration, and find it difficult to keep abreast their lessons. However, these children positively respond to physical activities which in turn, help them to focus well on their mental faculties (Parks, Melissa et al).ConclusionThe prevailing social conditions have increased the burden of teachers attitudinally with their students. Today, both parents work, or there are single parents to manage the child.

Left to himself during non-school hours, the child may not use these hours productively. Also, the situation becomes worse when parents do not see eye to eye and there are frictions and quarrels at home. The difficulties of the teacher increase in these cases. Hence, when addressing the problems of a child with mental health issues, the teacher may have to look beyond the nature of the child.Sources:Burke, Robert W & Myers, Barbara Kimes; Our Crisis in Children’s Mental Health: Frameworks for Understanding and Action, http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.

qst;jsessionid=KFSbyPmSG47DY9vQcPTTBfvp17zQQ42Gkzrh7w0J8TwyxWyLlQRR!342722273!-1332762173?docId=5002478236Han, Susan S & Weiss, Bahr; Sustainability of teacher implementation of school-based mental health problems, Health Care Industry, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0902/is_6_33/ai_n16029351/Lipsett, Anthea; Mental health problems hurting pupils, say teachers; http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/apr/07/children-teachers-schools-mental-healthNamka, Lynne; Social Skills And Positive Mental Health, http://www.

angriesout.com/teach4.htmParks, Melissa et al, Understand classroom teachers’ perceptions of integrating physical activity: a collective efficacy perspective, Journal of Research in Child Education, 22 March 2007, http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-30740195_ITMTeaching students who have mental health problems, Birkbeck, University of London, http://www.bbk.ac.uk/disability/resources/mental