https://www.news-medical.net/health/Mental-Health-Comorbidities.aspx

The mental well-being of high school students is a matter of great concern and has reached widespread audiences in recent years. For all the difficulties that teenagers face, popular techniques involved with facilitating mental health and their resulting consequences vary enormously between Europe and America.

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First, high school students in the United States regularly face unique pressures that affect their intellectual well-being.

The highly aggressive nature of college admissions and the demand for overall academic success, extracurricular activities, and social expectations create an extremely stressful environment.

As a result, problems with anxiety affect nearly a third of youth in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Mental health has increasingly become an important issue for American faculties. To find a solution, many schools have started incorporating more support structures, including counseling, mental health days, and wellness programs.

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Nevertheless, the results are typically few and far between, as many under-resourced schools can’t execute these programs well.

In addition, the fact that many students are reluctant to seek advice due to the negative perceptions surrounding mental health struggles has made addressing the issue increasingly tricky. Some argue that using social and emotional learning (SEL) curricula is necessary to equip high school students with stress management skills and help them cope with hardships. Yet even such measures fall short of addressing the urgent need for a more inclusive mental healthcare system, as witnessed in the surge of adolescent hysteria, depression, and suicide rates. 

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Regarding mental health among high school students, Europe differs from the US in that it incorporates a broader care system. Known for their comprehensive welfare systems and educational policies that prioritize student welfare, countries such as Finland and Denmark provide mental health education to their students through curriculum integration or comprehensive school guidance services. 

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In addition, Europeans usually encounter less academic tension concerning college admissions than their American counterparts. In Germany and France, national exams are typically the most critical facet of admission into higher learning institutions. These relieve some of the academic pressure of sustaining high grades and participating in various extracurriculars. Regarding mental health resources, their availability and popularity depend on their European location. For example, there have been efforts such as teacher support groups in United Kingdom schools that deal with staff mental health. On the other hand, Nordic countries promote mental well-being by giving holistic education that centers mainly on survival, stability, and personal joy.

The benefits of good mental health hold a significant significance in both America and Europe despite the differences in their processes mirroring cultural and systemic distinctions.

In America, the postsecondary high school experience is a competition with multiple aspects that lead to overburdening stress. The stigma around mental illnesses has eased up in America, and hospitalization has improved; nevertheless, certain hurdles remain, especially when it comes to achieving equality within different socio-economic businesses. On the other hand, Europe mitigates student pressure by encouraging balanced education and well-being from early childhood by facilitating access to mental health care services. However, there are variations between nations, with some regions needing to advance their mental fitness directory systems to meet growing needs.

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 Addressing the intellectual well-being of high school and college students is a complex task that calls for a multifaceted technique focusing on collaboration. In this respect, the US can study European models that underline the notions of finding a balance between work and life, early intervention, and integrated forms of assistance. In contrast, European countries may learn from the United States by becoming more aware of destigmatizing mental health and developing comprehensive university-based holistic programs. As high school students move towards adulthood, American and European academic structures can help them cope with emotional breakdowns by treating their needs seriously and handling mental health issues more effectively. 

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Sources: 

"Counselling for Student Mental Health Problems." NHS, 29 Mar. 2023, www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/help-for-teenagers-young-adults-and-students/student-mental-health-counselling/.

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Department of education. "Promoting and Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools and Colleges." Gov.Uk, 16 May 2024, www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-in-schools-and-colleges.

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Jensen, Trine. "‘The World’S Happiest Children’ Why Everyone Is Talking About Scandinavian Parenting." Everymum, 17 Mar. 2024, everymum.ie/my-family/the-worlds-happiest-children-why-everyone-is-talking-about-scandinavian-parenting/.

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Marie Harding. "SWEDEN: Mental Health in Schools." Schols for Health, 15 May 2021, www.schoolsforhealth.org/sites/default/files/editor/assembly/2021-sweden-mental-health.pdf.

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"The Danish Approach to Mental Health." Healthcare Denmark, 10 Oct. 2023, healthcaredenmark.dk/national-strongholds/mental-health/#:~:text=The%20Danish%20approach%20to%20mental%20health%20is%20characterised%20by%20a,a%20focus%20on%20reducing%20stigma.

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Matilda Wrede-Jantti. "Mental Health Among Youth in Finland." Nordic Centre for Welfare and Social Issues, nordicwelfare.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/finland_webb-1.pdf.

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Matthew Stone . "Why America Has a Youth Mental Health Crisis, and How Schools Can Help." Education Week, 16 Oct. 2023, www.edweek.org/leadership/why-america-has-a-youth-mental-health-crisis-and-how-schools-can-help/2023/10.

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"‘We’Re In a New World’: American Teenagers on Mental Health and How to Cope." TIME, 10 Oct. 2023, time.com/6320195/us-teen-mental-health-photos/.

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"Understanding and Addressing the Mental Health of High School Students." The JED Foundation, 2020, jedfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/High-School-Student-Mental-Health-Report_JED-and-Fluent_FINAL.pdf.

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"Statistics: Mental Illness." National Institute of Mental Health, 10 Oct. 2020, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.

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