Career is important but mental health is paramount – Since March 2020, when Covid 19 hit the country, it ruined everything in every sector from industries, manufacturing units, production units, national economy to education sector. Going to work, to work from home. The workplace has forever changed. A full return to “normal” is something that many have begun to realize is unlikely. Instead, we all must prepare for the “new normal.”
- Sometimes I get curious about the future like where it will go, when we will move freely without a mask and sanitizers or should we make a habit of that, when the dust settles, what will the workplace look like? But in a survey it has been noticed that:-
- 70% of people have had more stress and anxiety at work this year than any other previous year.
- 85% of people say their mental health issues at work negatively affect their home life
- 76% of people believe companies should be doing more to support the mental health of their workforce
Before thinking more about future let’s see what who suggest us so… according to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
As mental health includes our psychological, emotional and social well-being too which directly or indirectly reflects in what we do or think or feel or act. When mental health is suffering, other aspects of life such as relationships, physical health and daily functions are directly impacted. And it’s not like only educators have mental stress but students are also suffering as there is a lack of connections between educator and student. There is a huge difference between online studies and classroom studies which is indirectly affecting mental health.
As we see things from students and learners’ perspective, online classes are not everyone’s cup of tea. Every student cannot afford that.
Firstly, let’s take an example of 100 students. Among all students only 60-70 students would afford data or net recharges, 40-30 students can afford laptops and mobile phones, and these students would suffer from mental health. Schools have to think about that.
Secondly, being in school around teachers, friends, and classmates gives us a different level of confidence and enhances skills. Personality development is done by the ways of regular interactions and various activities. Schools and educators should plan such kinds of activities which boost up children’s mental health and they could feel like they are connected with school, staff and educators.
As we talk about the teacher’s point of view. A teacher can better understand his students while teaching in a mannered classroom where he/she can understand students’ problems or is he paying proper attention toward class just by noticing their faces but online platforms are not providing that help to educators to pay attention to each and every student individually. These problems are faced by educators which later on impacts on their mental health.
Last but not the least, well covid -19 has affected almost everyone’s schedule, routine, work life etc. What we all can do is to take precautions and involve ourselves in learning new things.. I would rather advise you all out there to follow the routine which you will follow when things get normal to new normal because that is not so far when we would be again going to work and in a new normal world. Let’s hope for the best and start exercising for your mental health, mental peace. As we are going so much online these days by watching series and studies ,don’t forget to take good care of your eyes too because computer and mobile phone’s rays can give you strain which is also a cause for eye strain ,stress and mental health.
Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you, doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.”
— Lisa Olivera