Question- What is mental health ? Discuss its significance in education.

Or
Explain the functions and aims of mental Hygiene.

Answer-

Meaning of Mental Health

Simply mental health means health of the mind. Everyone is born with their own characteristics. The physical characteristics are clearly visible under the psyche, but mental health means of knowing and understanding the mental qualities and the behaviour of a person and understand the different types of changes that occur in him. How mentally healthy a person is, it can be known by the study of his behaviour, speech, living and adjustment with nature etc. In the field of education, mental health is defined as the ability of a person to adjust his learning ability, to face the challenges of life, to satisfy his feelings, desires and to do an invaluable contribution in social development etc.

To clarify the meaning of mental health, psychologists have given the following definitions :

According to Headfield : “In general terms, we may say that mental health is full harmonious functioning of the whole personality.”

According to Ledell : “Mental health means the ability to make an adequate adjustment with the environment on the plane of reality.”

According to Kappuswamy : “Mental health means, the ability to balance feelings, desires, ambitions, and ideals in one’s daily life. It means the ability to face and accept the reality of life.”

According to Frandsen : “Mental health and success in learning are very closely related.”

Meaning of Mental Hygiene

Mental health science literally means The science of keeping the mind healthy. Just as physical health is related to the body, mental health is related to the mind. In science of mental health, the rules and uses of keeping the mind healthy are studied so that there can be balanced development of personality so that the person is able to adjust himself in both easy and difficult situations of life. The make the meaning of this science more clear, psychologists have given the following definitions which are as follows :

According to Drever : “Mental hygiene means investigation of the laws of mental health and taking of measures for its preservation.”

According to Head field : “Mental hygiene is concerned with the maintenance of mental health and the prevention of mental disorders.”

According to Crow & Crow : “Mental hygiene is a science that deals with the human welfare and pervades all fields of human relationships.”

According to Kolesnik : “Mental hygiene is a set of conditions which enable a person to live at peace with himself and others.”

Functions and Aims of Mental Hygiene

The following are the objectives of mental health science which are as follows :

Preservation Aim : This objective states the rules and methods by which a person can protect his mental health.

According to the objectives of mental health science, it can have three following forms :

(1) Curative Aspect,
(2) Preventive Aspect,
(3) Preservative Aspect.

Spiritual Aspect : Measures remove mental diseases or defects, preventive aspect measure prevents and protects from mental diseases, in the spiritual aspect, the methods and rules of maintaining mental health are told.

Characteristics of Mental Health

The characteristics of mental health can be obtained by looking at the traits or characteristics of a mentally healthy person. These features are the following :

(1) Regular Life : A person who is mentally healthy, every work of his daily life happens at a fixed time and in a natural way. He leads a regular life i.e. his way of living, his behaviour with others.

(2) Provide Necessary Facilities for Development : A family should provide full opportunities, facilities and environment to meet the physical and psychological needs of him and for the development of his interest, aspirations and mental abilities.

(3) Family Environment : In order to maintain the mental health of the child, the family environment should be peaceful and there should be mutual love among the members of the family. The child should be rewarded for doing work according to his interest. The mental health of the parents should also be good.

(4) Parental Behaviour : Appropriate behaviour of parents toward their children helps in the advancement of their mental health. According to Kappuswami - "A mother provides love and protection to her children. She supports in mental health of children. Parents who spend their life and time with their children, it helps them to develop a healthy mental attitude.

(5) School Tasks : The development of the personality of the child starts from the family, but this work is successfully completed in the school by various meAnswer- The teacher plays an important role in the school. He can help in maintaining the mental health of children and by paying attention on the rules and factor can prevent from mental illness.

The following points should be taken into accounts for the promotion of mental health in school :

(1) Good Environment : The school environment has a profound effect on physical and mental health. Arrangement should be made in the school properly as regular physical classes, food, rest, sports, cleanliness and treatment of diseases.

(2) Affectionate Behaviour of Teachers : The teacher should be sympathetic to the child and treat all the students equally without any discrimination.

(3) Discipline : The discipline of the school should be such that it is based on the principle of democracy. To inculcate the spirit of self discipline in the children, they should be given to do the responsible work of the school.

(4) Balanced and Appropriate Curriculum : Curriculum should be such as it suits the age, interest and need of the child and should be flexible. Curriculum should be as it could lead healthy and balanced development on all aspects of the students personality.

(5) Balanced Homework : Too much homework should not be given to students.

(6) Organizing Lesson, Topic and Activities : Sports, entertainment, scouting and cultural programs should be organized in the school, by it children get an opportunity and motivation to express their basic instinct, and desires in a healthy way.

(7) New Approach to Teaching Method : New psychological teaching methods should be used which are based on the principles of action, practice and independence.

(8) Educational Guidance : Children should be helped to choose the subject according to their interest and ability.

(9) Personal Guidance : Children have many problems which they cannot solve on their own. They should solve their problem successfully with the help of skilled persons and psychologists. There should be a system of guidance in the school.

(10) Vocational Guidance : One of the main objectives of education is to provide professional skills, vocational guidance which can help them to take up a suitable occupation.

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