Wow yes I truly agree with this topic. Although I am not trained in mental health I understand life changes.
I totally agree. In my day to day world, I have more and more customers that are on psychotropic medications. Daily, I speak with a customer needing to understand why. Why they feel the way that they do, why would it not benefit them to stop their medication without consulting their doctor, and how to manage on the medication.
Why do I feel more and more customers are found to be in this position- Generational; Because of the babies having babies and not understanding parenthood and what it means to have patience with the growing pains, they seek outside assistance that labels and places the children on medication. Now, dependency and routine. Unable to “cope†as so they considerate, unless medicated.
(I might add- this is not EVERY case it is a large population of what I have experienced and communicated with)
Our new generation are wiser than generations before, however, much weaker than generations before.
Terry,
Nice post. What are one or two specific ways that you help your students develop the "can do" attitude you describe?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I totally agree. Many of our students have not had many significant achievements in their lives and are coming to our college for a new start. Part of our job is to speak into their lives, create a vision of the future and, in the field in which I teach, will lift them into a new income level that will affect generations. Because of past failures or lack of success modeled in their families, they need to adopt a "can do" attitude.
We are definitely in more than one business: public relations, psychologist, big brother or sister, accountant, AND educator. One has to keep changing hats.
yes, we educate in the vocation of the students choice, but we also assist many of the students with daily life situations. How to manage work and studying, how to manage studying and the pressures of home life with children.
Cassandra,
Estimates are that about 70-80% of career college students are the first ones in their family to go to college.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Many of our students come from families of origin which were not particularly enlightened or supportive. When they come to school they often begin with one arm tied behind their backs. It is up to all of us as employees to let them know in a variety of ways that they have what it takes to succeed. Then we need to provide the framework in which they can do so.
Jay,
Accountability is an important thing for us to both teach and model. We need to hold students accountable for decisions and actions while at the same time structuring our interactions in a positive way. Students whould be able to make "non-fatal" mistakes from which they can learn.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I can understand the statement. However it is necessary to maintain a positive approach to that assessment. If we are doing things right we are motivators, sounding boards, advisors, supporters, etc., etc. We also have to be monitors and hold students accountable; above all we are preparing them for successful careers in their chosen program area of study. It definitely takes balance and flexibility but focusing on the successes of our students makes the effort more than worth it.
Yes. We must see students as human beings and know that we all face our fair share of problems. Many times for students, those problems greatly impact their performance in class.
I totally agree, if we take a little time to define what we mean by "mental health." Few of us, I'm sure, are mental health professionals, though we may have ADA training. If we broaden the definition, though, of "mental health," then yes, sure, I'd agree.
As instructors, we're a large part of ensuring our students' minds grow and strengthen; in this sense, we're in the business of mental health. In the current educational climate, all employees are expected to be a jack-of-all-trades, with a specialty. One thing I'd like to stress is that each school has an avenue to help a student with medical issues, and that although each of us has a responsibility to get to know each student and connect with them, we should understand who does what best.
I strongly agree that the education business encompasses other disciplines such as finance, domestic and mental health. During the course of study students are sometime faced with any number of these and other issues that can derail the education process. An instructor might have to find ways to resolve a current situdation before learning begin.
Yes, like there are different learning styles, there are different factions of the business of education.
I definitely agree, we all have our own personal needs and individual situations throughout our lifetime. It is our job to discover what brick walls a student is encountering that may be interfering with their goals.
Cynthia,
Some career colleges have hired counseling services to help address these types of situations with professional expertise.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Yes, we as educators and spend countless hours trying to keep the students motivated (Counselling). Many students have many problems, from significant others to children, parents, and jobs everyday. When we get one problem solved another happens.
The #1 problem is many are medicated for one reason or another. Some of the issues students have are scary, and we want to help but one has to avoid over-stepping boundaries; especially when its financial. You don't want to walk away but have to or the next business would banker.
I don't think there is any question that we are in the mental health business. If we can change the HABEs of one student and help them succeed we have changed their outlook both mentally and hopefully physically
Harvey,
Many career schools require their faculty members to build activities that enhance the "soft skills" you mention into their daily lessons.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I would agree.
The current challenges that impact our young students are becoming more centered around professionalism, attutide, and teamwork skill sets. This is not what is topically covered withing traditional curriculum.
Thus, we are in the business of mental health business for our current generation of students.
