The School Report Card You’ve Never Seen: Grading Mental Health
When I was in junior public school, I remember there was the “marks report” and the “behaviour report”. You received a mark on “how well you played with others”, “shows respect for others”, “follows directions well”, "Demonstrates self-control", "Takes responsibility for actions". As kids, we looked at the school grades and paid little attention to the “behaviour marks”. as long as the grades were acceptable. My parents certainly prioritized the “school” marks, too. And then by Grade 7, the behaviour marks disappeared. In every school nationwide, report cards measure academic performance, attendance, and participation. But there’s another missing grade. It could change lives: mental health accountability.
Why did this stop? For many of us, Grade 7 was the first time we didn’t spend the entire day in our homeroom with one or two teachers. Did they identify any real behavioural issues early on that required flagging? Grade 7, for many of us, was when school changed, and for many our bodies and emotions started changing too.
It’s a topic close to my heart. I’ve spent years advocating for mental health in schools, working to create programs that prioritize well-being. Along the way, I’ve learned that while many schools claim to address mental health, the reality often falls short. The stakes are too high for us to settle for anything less than real, measurable impact.
Why Mental Health Accountability Matters
Today’s teens face pressures that older generations couldn’t have imagined: social media comparisons, academic stress, relationship challenges, and so much more. Despite the growing awareness of mental health issues, many students feel unsupported. Why? Because without accountability, mental health programs can easily become surface-level initiatives that fail to meet students’ actual needs.
Accountability means asking tough questions: Are schools offering the right support? Are students feeling the impact? What’s working, and what isn’t? By holding schools accountable, we ensure that mental health isn’t just a checkbox but a cornerstone of the educational experience.
What Mental Health Accountability Looks Like
Imagine a system where schools are evaluated on academic metrics and how they support students’ emotional and mental well-being. Here’s what that could include:
Student Feedback: Students are the best judges of what’s working. Regular surveys and open forums give them a voice in shaping mental health initiatives. There has never been a time in history when youth have been more aware of their mental health, so shouldn’t they have a say in things?
Transparency: Schools openly share their mental health strategies and results, building trust with parents and the community.
Recognition of Excellence: Highlighting schools that excel in mental health support encourages others to follow their lead. We need benchmarking from the best to help elevate all schools’ efforts.
Benchmarking: Clear standards and measurable goals help schools understand where they stand and how to improve.
The Ripple Effect of Accountability
When schools embrace mental health accountability, the impact goes beyond the classroom:
Better Mental Health Outcomes: Programs tailored to student feedback address real needs, reducing stigma and fostering resilience.
Stronger Communities: Parents, teachers, and students collaborate to create an environment of trust and support.
A New Definition of Success: Schools are recognized for academic excellence and for nurturing well-rounded, emotionally healthy individuals.
Better Participation: Students who feel part of the solution are more inclined to participate actively.
A Question Worth Asking
The question isn’t whether schools should prioritize mental health but how. Accountability provides the framework to ensure that efforts are meaningful and effective. Change is possible when we start asking the right questions. Are we giving students the support they need? Are schools equipped to handle the challenges teens face today? And most importantly, are we holding ourselves accountable for their well-being?
The future of education isn’t just about academics. It’s about creating environments where students can thrive: mind, body, and soul. Let’s grade schools on what truly matters and give our kids the chance to succeed in every sense of the word.
