https://doi.org/10.37955/cs.v8i1.340
Received May 09, 2023/ Approved July, 12, 2023 Pages 112-123
eISSN: 2600-5743
The importance of mental health in
the face of the challenges of
education
La importancia de la salud mental frente a los retos de la
educación
Gabriela Geovanna Guevara Enríquez
Magister in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Universidad de Guayaquil,
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0375-0758, gabriela.guevaraen@ug.edu.ec.
ABSTRACT
This article presents a reflection on the process and current state of
education in the midst of various challenges. In sum, it discusses how
global events and the crime wave are impacting education and how the
need for a change in the educational approach is becoming
increasingly evident. Currently, mental health has become an issue of
growing concern in society, but especially in the educational context.
The challenges faced by students and educators are increasingly
complex, more difficult to control and many of them difficult to
foresee. This has undoubtedly generated the importance of addressing
mental health in this environment.
RESUMEN
Este artículo presenta una reflexión sobre el proceso y estado actual de
la educación en medio de diversos desafíos. En suma, se discute cómo
los acontecimientos globales y la ola delincuencial, están impactando
la educación y cómo se hace cada vez más evidente la necesidad de un
cambio en el enfoque educativo. En la actualidad, la salud mental se
ha convertido en un tema de creciente preocupación en la sociedad,
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pero especialmente en el contexto educativo. Los desafíos que
enfrentan los estudiantes y educadores, son cada vez más complejos,
más difíciles de controlar y muchos de ellos difíciles de prever. Esto sin
duda ha generado la importancia de abordar la salud mental en este
entorno.
Keywords / Palabras clave
Education, students, challenge
Educación, estudiantes, desafio
Introduction
We have not conducted a survey on the crime wave that the country is
suffering. It is quite evident the discontent and rejection we have
towards these armed groups and the authorities given their little
participation in the cessation of these conflicts. The fear of being
collateral victims of an armed attack or the product of a struggle in a
robbery has caused a commotion, especially due to the impact on
educational areas. In the canton of Durán, on May 22, 2023, threats to
12 public schools in Durán circulated on social networks, which caused
many parents to decide not to send their children to school for fear of
attacks and rumors of an explosive placed inside a school (Primicias,
23).
In the same year, on July 15, a video circulated in social networks and
media about a shooting outside a school in Esmeraldas, in which it is
obvious how parents try to keep different children off the ground while
different detonations take place (Cadena, 2023). (Cadena, 2023)
All these antecedents contribute to a great extent to a discontent and
stress towards parents, children, teachers, all affected by the different
attacks. We overcame the confinement of the pandemic, now we must
be protected for fear of being victims of crime. Currently there is no
pronouncement from the authorities for school activities in areas that
have suffered a high increase in crime, to return to virtual education
and this is understandable because of how complicated it would be.
Virtual education in times of pandemic left many gaps and returning
to it may cause the same result, since the necessary tools have not been
implemented.
In short, the pandemic that we are surviving at the cost of many human
lives, inflation, job shortages, crime, among others, are factors that, no
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matter how much academic preparation we may have, can hurt the
most sensitive part of us and disturb our peace.
Teachers in the different conflict zones deal with the stress and fear of
these attacks since many of these zones are mainly schools, it ends up
being like a drop in the bucket.
Mental health is compromised, there is no emotional stability or
certainty of a peaceful future. Worries keep growing and work and
academic results diminishing.
At present, we have mentioned the main factors that have influenced
mental health. However, it is important to note that there may still be
other factors, as each individual is unique and maintains a unique
lifestyle, as well as unique social and family relationships.
However, there are numerous ways to preserve and improve mental
health. Some of these include:
Mindfulness practice: It is a practice that consists of a psychological
process, which encourages the constant recognition of the sensations,
emotions and thoughts of each person, directing our attention to what
we are doing to be aware of our present. (Vasquez, 2016)
Mindfulness meditation is based on traditional Buddhist meditation
itself that seeks to release the tension that we are subjected to daily,
allowing the release of suffering and recognition as part of oneself.
(Lagares, 2020)
Regular physical exercise: Physical activity contributes greatly to the
prevention of psychological imbalances, mainly combating sedentary
lifestyles, which is the main cause of many diseases.
It helps to reduce anxiety and depression, impacting positively on
people's lives. Exercise allows the release of endorphins, which in turn
lead to emotional well-being. (Cornejo, 2022)
Hobbies and pleasurable activities: Spending time on activities that
you enjoy can help distract you from stress and cultivate a sense of
accomplishment and personal satisfaction. These can include:
painting, writing, music, gardening, etc.
Professional therapy: Also known as psychotherapy, this is a
conversation with a mental health provider who will offer advice and
therapy, helping us to take control of our lives, given the exploration
of our problems and see them in different ways and with different
moods. (Mayo Clinic, 2023)
Balanced nutrition:
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The expression "we are what we eat" perfectly encapsulates this point,
an adequate nutrition will provide an adequate health, which will allow
an optimal mood. But if it is neglected, it favors the gradual
appearance of different physical discomforts, which in turn,
depending on the severity, will lead to depressive conditions (Alfaro,
2022). (Alfaro, 2022)
Adequate rest time and sleep: Sleep gives the body and brain time to
recover from the stresses of everyday life. (MedlinePlus, 2022)On the
other hand, not getting adequate sleep greatly favors the increase of
accidents and the appearance of diseases.
7. Time management: A correct time management allows managing
the working day, seeking the highest possible productivity with the
prioritization of tasks. (Ramos, 2018) We cannot separate our work
life from our personal life, if there is any affectation in one of them, it
will directly affect the other. Therefore, learning to manage time
correctly will allow, develop our work, sleep and eat properly, exercise,
among others.
8. Assertive communication: Assertive communication is a skill that
allows us to make social relationships more satisfying, both for us and
for those around us.(Escobedo & Ibañez, 2018).
Therefore, it is useful to avoid conflicts when relating to others,
helping to improve self-esteem and self-confidence, by being able to
dialogue calmly and respectfully, expressing our thoughts without
hurting those with whom we talk, improving our relationships and
significantly reducing conflicts that may affect our mood.
9. Emotional intelligence. When we talk about emotional intelligence
(EI), we refer to the ability to understand and manage our emotions to
reduce stress, in addition to helping you communicate effectively,
empathize with others, overcome challenges and reduce conflicts.
(Garcia, 2021)
Let's remember that each person is different. Therefore, it is important
to explore different tools to discover which ones are most effective for
each individual. If you feel that your stress is overwhelming and is
greatly affecting your mood, consider seeking professional help for
personalized guidance and support.
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Materials and Methods
We will use a survey-based approach to conduct this research. We have
collected responses from a total of 50 individuals, covering a wide
variety of questions designed to provide a comprehensive perspective
on several aspects. However, we will focus closely on the following
main points: emotional intelligence, the importance of assertive
communication, the challenges we have faced during the pandemic
due to the transition to forced virtuality and thus the advantages and
disadvantages associated with it, as well as the amount of homework,
among other relevant elements.
Results
As anticipated, the results showed similarities in certain aspects and
divergences in others; these disparities in the results are attributed to
the different advantages or disadvantages present in each of the
respondents.
Clearly, the results of this study confirm the essential importance of
mental health in all areas of life.
The research highlights how neglecting mental health can have a
negative impact on overall health, which in turn directly affects work,
education and personal environments. This ripple effect can lead to a
cascade of consequences that eventually undermine a person's
emotional stability.
Within the educational field, the issue of mental health has been a
topic of growing concern. The relationship between mental health and
education is vital, given that the ability to learn and teach is closely
related to the emotional and psychological state of the individuals
involved. In this context, we must consider that an impact on mental
health will have repercussions on academic performance.
Technology has revolutionized teaching, allowing educators to access
a wide variety of resources, yet digital tools remain a primary
influencer in students' lives. Their ability to understand and address
students' emotional needs can have a lasting impact on their academic
and personal development.
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However, in a world characterized by uncertainty and the complexity
of a variety of factors ranging from emotional challenges
even socioeconomic situations themselves can hinder the achievement
of an adequate educational environment.
Catastrophic situations have shown that they can drastically alter the
overall educational landscape, forcing teachers, students and parents
to adapt to new and unpredictable realities. In this sense, mental well-
being becomes even more crucial, as it provides the resilience needed
to face and overcome these challenges in a constructive manner.
In sum, mental health within the educational context should not be
considered as an isolated aspect; on the contrary, it acts as a
fundamental pillar that underpins overall well-being and academic
performance. Recognizing the importance of this component is
essential to ensure an enriching and sustainable educational
environment where both teachers and students can thrive despite the
challenges ahead.
Challenges of education in Ecuador today that affect mental health:
Student learning is developed both in the classroom and at home.
Interaction with teachers in the classroom fosters social skills, while at
home they develop a commitment that fosters responsibility. At home,
students apply what they learn in the classroom, promoting problem
solving and research. The key is to bring the knowledge back to the
classroom to receive feedback.
However, challenges can arise. If the classroom environment does not
facilitate learning, students may feel demotivated or dissatisfied.
Factors such as the teacher's methodology or the absence of an optimal
physical structure can generate different results.
Each student has different needs, and educators must create optimal
environments and use tools that encourage learning. However, the
lack of time in the teacher's schedule can be a constraint and at home,
the overload of tasks can cause stress, exhaustion and therefore
demotivation. Extracurricular activities that may seem monotonous or
demanding will result in a lack of commitment, emotional fatigue and
demotivation.
Lack of clarity in assignments or lack of communication with the
teacher can lead to misunderstandings and confusion.
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Communication and the relationship between teacher and student are
fundamental to effective and sustainable education.
Unequal access to resources and the arrival of the COVID 19 pandemic.
At the end of 2019 the world received news that changed its course
forever, the arrival of COVID-19 and its rapid spread around the world
strictly forced everyone to live in an undetermined quarantine because
of the cases of contagion and the high levels of fatality. The COVID-19
pandemic made no distinction between social classes, political parties,
religious groups, it affected the entire population. But it is undeniable
that the most vulnerable communities, those with scarce and limited
resources, located in the most disadvantaged areas, were greatly
affected and this was an inhospitable and challenging period for all.
According to data collected by INEC, only 53.2% of Ecuadorian
households had internet access in 2020. (INEC, 2021)This number
indicates that many households were not prepared for the virtuality
pandemic, according to the survey in question only 34.3% had access
to a computer. By 2023, it is expected that 69.7% of Ecuador's
population will have access to the Internet. (La Hora, 2023)
Educational institutions were forced to implement measures for
virtual teaching in order not to affect the different academic calendars,
which were already significantly delayed. The main disadvantage was
reflected worldwide, the limited (scarce) access to internet and the lack
of tools (technological equipment). According to the data collected, a
total of 826 million students could not attend school due to the
pandemic and 706 million do not have internet at home. (Unesco,
2020).
Figures show that the global status of students varies significantly due
to economic situations at home. Unfortunately, many households lack
the necessary resources to provide a quality education for their
children, resulting in a frustrating situation that affects the mental
state of the family group.
Incomes at a general level dropped, basic necessities became scarce
and the freedom we had was gradually taken away. The stress of being
locked up for fear of contagion had repercussions on mental health,
according to data there was a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety
and depression (PAHO 2022).
During 2020 in Ecuador, 21.9% of the homes consulted do not have
potable water. In addition, 11.8% do not have stable electricity.
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(Pesantes, 2020) If the most basic resources for subsistence were
scarce, the internet was even scarcer. It is a situation that evidences
the need to address the structural challenges faced by these
communities to ensure a more prosperous future.
In sum, the media El Telegrafo mentions that Ecuador had a reduction
of learning in times of pandemic, it is reported that more than 10
thousand institutions reviewed, 2 thousand were below the acceptable
level. (El Telegrafo, 2021).
On the other hand, according to statements in digital media by the
Minister of Education, Maria Brown, she mentions that 150,000
students, including children and adolescents, dropped out of school as
a result of the crisis. (Machado, 2021)
With the arrival of the pandemic, it was inevitable to be able to provide
a quality service, with all the unfavorable conditions mentioned above.
There were no adequate measures to withstand the consequences that
the global pandemic brought in the labor, educational, and emotional
aspects.
The problems of virtuality
The population that could be in the virtual classes ranged from infants
to professionals. Of the group surveyed, 81.1% were at a higher
educational level (university, high school or postgraduate).
We asked the main question to measure the level of learning
satisfaction during the 2020 pandemic, the results showed that 45.3%
considered it to be a good experience, 43.4% considered it to be
average, 9.4% considered it to be excellent, 1.9% did not have access to
online education.
On the other hand, 43.4% remained neutral to the measures
implemented by their institution for the virtualization of classes. This
suggests that it was not a gratifying action, but neither did they feel
any discomfort.
Despite this, controversy exists in the level of effectiveness between
online and face-to-face education, with 37.7% stating that online
education was less effective than face-to-face education.
The main reasons range from lack of time due to other activities (66%),
difficulty in understanding the tasks (34%), lack of adequate resources
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(9.4%), lack of motivation (26.4%), stress or pressure related to
homework (32.1%), monotony and repetitive tasks (15.1%).
In 2004 according to Ralón, he mentioned that in a virtual education
the relationship between student and students, students and teachers,
is affected given the social relationships that were previously formed,
a small cost in exchange for much needed flexibility. (Ralón, Vieta, &
Vásquez de Prada, 2004). Sixteen years later this statement had quite
exemplary support given the pandemic.
Task overload.
Among the respondents, we have a group of people who always
consider the tasks assigned by the educational area to be useful, but if
we add the two response percentages 26.4% (most of the time they are
useful) and 22.6% (sometimes they are useful, sometimes they are
not). We have 49%, surpassing the 43.4% who consider the tasks
useful. In other words, there is a clear dissatisfaction with the
activities.
One such factor may be the amount of time spent on homework, which
is too long for the activities, and these activities may be on the
threshold of repetitive and boring or necessary. Much research finds
positive relationships between the time spent on homework and
achievement (Cooper, 2006) But if this time is extremely long, it will
fatigue the student and lead to negative results. Or, on the contrary, if
it is due to the overload of homework, the student will be demotivated,
according to the results.
In first place is the aspect of task overload with 50.9%, while the other
factors are: lack of recognition by the teacher (39.6%), lack of interest
(37.7%).
Conclusions
In summary, this article is especially directed to teacher-researchers
among our different readers, it is essential to keep in mind our role in
the lives of students, from their school years to their university career.
We are and exercise as one of the first professional models that they
know and we represent what they could achieve. For this reason, it is
critical to establish a solid foundation around mental health care,
assertive communication skills and the development of emotional
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intelligence. These pillars have a significant impact on their personal,
work and academic lives.
It is important to recognize that we face dark and very challenging
moments, which can lead us to an environment of complete
discouragement. However, we must find the strength to persevere in
our mission. Difficulties are an integral part of the journey and, despite
the obstacles, we must keep moving forward to ensure our own success
and motivate others to the same result.
At the national level, education in our country still needs to make
progress in several areas. While we await new government policies and
tools, it is crucial to address this issue through close collaboration
between educators and parents. This union strengthens the
generations to come and provides the necessary support.
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