Why should inclusion of mental health be integral to the education curriculum?

By Richa Singh

For a long time, intelligence quotient (IQ) was believed to be the primary factor in determining an individual’s success. Most of our formal education system is geared toward the same thing, as are our culture and our homes.

Daniel Goleman, in his groundbreaking work, Emotional Intelligence, suggested that “emotional intelligence can be as powerful and sometimes more powerful than IQ.” He believed that while our IQ can get us a job, it is our EQ that determines how quickly we advance and get promoted.

Researchers have shown that our success at work or in life depends 80% on Emotional Intelligence and only 20% on intellect.

Employers are increasingly looking for people with emotional intelligence. The World Economic Forum ranks Emotional Intelligence 6th among the top 10 skills employees will need to possess to thrive in the workplace of the future.

The importance of EQ for young people is very well established. The next important question that arises is: Can Emotional Intelligence be learned/increased?

Well, according to a meta-analysis that looked at the outcomes of social and emotional learning programs, the answer is YES.

The study found that approximately 50% of children enrolled in SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) programs had better performance scores and nearly 40% had better grade point averages. These programs were also linked to lower suspension rates, higher school attendance, and reduced disciplinary problems.

A recent 2021 UNICEF study also highlighted that one in seven young people between the ages of 15 and 24 is depressed. The study further found that young people in India are reluctant to seek help due to the stigma surrounding them.

With all these facts, it’s not just the extremes, in the form of mental health disorders or youth suicide, but mental health programs have an integral role to play in the personal and professional success of any individual.

The inclusion of mental health in the educational curriculum will allow today’s youth to become more resilient, aware and successful adults. It will help in all spheres of your life:

1. As an individual, Emotional Intelligence will benefit students with increased self-awareness, being able to recognize their feelings and acknowledge them, increasing their self-esteem and improving their satisfaction with life.
2. As a student: A holistic approach will allow students to not only perform better academically, but also fight their own battles as they transition to a new phase of life and not succumb to temporary roadblocks (such as test performance and placement). ). It will also provide them with the right skills to be more active and socially involved.
3. As a professional: Empathy is a very important part of professional life, especially when working in a team. Emotional Intelligence would help people develop that and also hone their problem-solving skills, build better relationships, and take care of their overall health and well-being. It will not only impact career growth, but also the overall life satisfaction and happiness of an individual.
4. As a caregiver: with increased awareness and sensitization, people will be more responsible, able to understand, recognize and intervene for their friends and family in their time of need.

The goal of every education system is not to make students excel academically, but to prepare them as holistically capable individuals in society. Mental health is an undeniable part of people’s lives and empowering students with strong mental health awareness could be the weapon to prepare the youth of tomorrow.

(The author is CEO and co-founder of YourDOST. The opinions expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online.)