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The ongoing pandemic has taken its toll on people’s lives around the world, including here at Northbridge International School Cambodia. Everyone is vulnerable, regardless of age, gender, or race. It changed the way we deal with life on a daily basis and we are compelled to adjust to a new normal way of life. These changes affect different aspects of our lives, including our mental and emotional well-being.
As we celebrate our Mental Health Awareness Week at NISC, and in commemoration of the World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October by the World Health Organization (WHO), we aim to let our students and staff know that we are here to support one another through these times.
Since we cannot gather socially and commemorate the occasion as we did last year due to restrictions, our Student Council in collaboration with the school clinic and guidance and counselling team prepared a video to be shown to students and informative posters which are posted both online and on our bulletin boards to remind everyone that our community, on its own, is an additional support system for everyone.
I believe that both physical and mental health impact one another, because we need to be physically healthy to not be easily affected with the daily stresses and the challenges brought by the pandemic, and we need to have a healthy mind to condition our body to not be easily defeated by any illness.
This is why we urge everyone to stay healthy, exercise, eat healthy, get enough rest, listen to music, read, write your thoughts, laugh your heart out, spend time with your friends and loved ones. It is not wrong to be sad or down sometimes, but always remember that you are not alone. All you need to do is to speak out and seek advice or help from your guidance counsellors, nurses, teachers or your trusted adults at school when you are a student, team leaders and the dedicated agency from NAE for employees, when you need one.
As we wear our green shirt or green ribbon today, let’s all be aware that our mental health is vital. Let’s be there for each other and let’s all play our parts in making NISC the caring place it was always meant to be!
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/world-mental-health-day-2020
The other week I was in Bangkok at the ASAC Basketball Tournament that is open for Grade 6 – 8 students from 9 competing schools across South East Asia. It gave me some time to reflect on the benefits and opportunities that our Northbridge students can access that will develop them holistically and physically.
Academic excellence is at the forefront of education, and whilst our duty as teachers is to foster this, we also have the responsibility to open students’ eyes to the wider world and their social responsibility within it.
Service- learning, or service as action, combines in school learning with supporting local communities, encouraging students to independently research local issues and take action to support those in need.
World Mental Health Day raises awareness of mental health issues around the world. It is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is uniting with partners to highlight the vital connection between mental health and work.
Student leadership is a cornerstone of personal and community growth. By developing leadership skills early on, students gain confidence, responsibility, and the ability to inspire others—qualities that will serve them well throughout their lives.