Blumenau: How does violence affect the mental health of students and teachers?

The psychologist analyzes how the cases of massacres in schools have a great impact on the mental health of children and also of educators

Brazil erupted in mourning last Wednesday (5), when a man invaded a nursery school armed with a hatchet in Blumenau, Santa Catarina. He killed at least four children, fled and set himself up as a military police headquarters. This was the 24th school attack in the country in the past 22 years. Incidentally, in 2022 alone, 5 different cities were the scene of episodes like this.

Against a backdrop of already low wages and overwork, violence adds to the factors that challenge the mental health of education professionals. According to psychologist Cecília Rocha, a study conducted by Nova Escola with nearly 10,000 teachers found that 72% had their mental health compromised and needed to seek support during the pandemic.

“So, we are talking about an audience that is still recovering from a difficult phase, which has brought a lot of work overload, such as the pressure of the challenges of online lessons. Now, these professionals are still recovering from the effects of this same difficult time , experience another challenge, where fear and anxiety are present again,” he says.

For children, the scenario is very similar. “It is important to remember that, regarding the mental health of children, we are still working on the consequences of a pandemic with social isolation, in which children have been extremely affected. So, it is certainly a worrying scenario,” underlines the professional.

According to her, emotions such as fear, anxiety and insecurity are starting to take over again. And even if children don’t have access to the news, they often notice the unsaid. Cecília recalls that the sensitivity of some is capable of reading the emotional climate of the family and teachers. “So somehow, they’re affected too,” she points out.

Ways to promote mental health

Taking care of the mental health of teachers and students is essential, says the psychologist. “I often say that school is precisely the antidote to many of the problems we are experiencing. It is one of the pillars to bring about real change in our society. Therefore, we must invest in it seriously and effectively if we want to see any change real in our society, ”he points out.

For the specialist, making the school environment a safe environment is an urgent need. In addition to the structural improvements of the physical space, it is necessary to invest in preventive work, which can bring more security to everyone in the medium and long term.

“It is necessary to take care of relationships, dialogue, attention to the issue of bullying, acceptance of differences, a peaceful culture of non-violence. This is urgent and all these events show us how much it is necessary to act quickly, seriously and effectively”, underlines the professional.

According to Cecília, it is necessary to strengthen the school. With this, it is even more important to adopt public policies that know how to value the work of educators. “The importance is also of a new look at education, where issues that contribute to a peaceful culture in our society can be strengthened and given priority in school planning,” she says.

The role of parents

The psychologist underlines that parents have a very important role in this context. “I always like to say that the family is our first school and the child learns a lot by example. So, we can teach a lot at home, starting with not using violence as a form of education. We still see many families using this method in educating one’s children and this is very harmful to the mental health of children and adolescents”, he points out.

Furthermore, it is also important to create a family environment with good communication, where emotions are expressed. It is inappropriate, for example, to censor boys’ emotional expression, which is commonly associated with a “girl thing.”

“I also underline that we are teaching our children a lot, even without realizing it. So, this issue of differences is addressed indirectly when we treat everyone the same way, with respect and kindness. When we don’t leave anyone out, or when we have respect as a basis, the care and affection in the relationship with others, inside and outside the home, even when we bring our children a collaborative rather than competitive thought”, he analyzes.

For the psychologist it is extremely important to bring the values ​​of inclusion and respect into our homes. “And that starts with our speeches, attitudes and behaviors. It’s a long, but extremely necessary road for us to live in a more peaceful world,” he concludes.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.