The Role of Mental Health in Learning

Subjective well-being of young people, an OECD overview Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

average rank for the six dimensions of child well-being assessed

Secure attachment Instinctive urge to attach, rooted in evolution Deep, long lasting emotional attachment Affects: – Mind, body, emotions, relationships, values Positive affect on: – Self-esteem, independence, enduring relationships, empathy, compassion and resilience

Insecure attachment An aversion to touch and physical affection. – Rather than producing positive feelings, touch and affection are perceived as a threat. Control issues. – Often go to great lengths to remain in control and avoid feeling helpless. – Disobedient, defiant, and argumentative. Anger problems. – Anger may be expressed directly, in tantrums or acting out, or through manipulative, passive- aggressive behavior. – May hide their anger in socially acceptable actions, like giving a high five that hurts or hugging someone too hard. Difficulty showing genuine care and affection. – May act inappropriately affectionate with strangers while displaying little or no affection towards their parents. An underdeveloped conscience. – Might act like they don’t have a conscience and fail to show guilt, regret, or remorse after behaving badly.

Types of insecure attachment Ambivalent – clings, withdraws in unfamiliar environment, separation anxiety, rejects efforts to comfort, soothe Avoidant – pseudo independence and self- sufficiency, rejects or avoids comforting, unaffected by close, intimate contacts Disorganized – no consistent strategy for comfort-seeking, depression, motor-freezing, disassociation (most serious form)

Common causes Abuse Neglect Addiction Disrupted parental relationships Parent death/loss

Characteristics Behavioural Emotional Cognitive/thinking Relationships Physical Moral/spiritual

Strategies Reciprocal behaviours between child and adult – Respectful eye contact, body language – Respectful verbal language – Calming, soothing, nurturing responses – Physical proximity and touching – Careful, deliberate listening – Accepting limits - boundaries

Strategies Classroom Environment/Structure – Rationality – Realism – Intuitiveness – Creativity – Admit and correct mistakes – Benevolence and cooperativeness