Every generation has encountered mental illness and anxiety but statistics show a shocking increase in anxiety that is exponentially affecting Generation Z. Mental health and emotional stability is crucial in guiding children to become healthy, happy and productive adults. What happens in a school environment when a majority of our youth are struggling with emotional security? Anxiety levels are compounded when these children are learning life skills from a parent that is abusive or mentally ill. These conditions are extremely detrimental to their education and future. If current societal conditions are not addressed, the nation will be in danger of passing their unhealthy and undesirable mental health onto the next generation. 

 

Many societies in the past have dismissed trauma and mental illness. This cultural pattern is a result of a lack in understanding between the connections of a child’s neurological development to their disruptive behaviors. Research shows that for the millennial generation approximately one in five people were affected with anxiety and depression. Now Generation Z records show one in three will suffer from a mental adversity sometime in their life. Educators are provided with knowledge of how a traumatic brain functions, however it is what we do with this information that will begin a healing process for children with trauma and mental illness. 

 

Art teachers may be the first to notice troubling behaviors from students who are suffering. The research shows how art can be one of the best ways for a traumatized, depressed or anxious student to heal. Healthy school environments, positive relationships with mindful and intentional art lessons can often help to heal through visual and verbal dialog for the children that we service.