Implications in the Classroom
From the perspective of the Individual:
Students with depression may feel great pressure to achieve and become overwhelmed. Small things often feel overwhelming to students with depression. They can be easily annoyed and hypersensitive to the comments and actions of others.
Students who have depression may also be having sleep disturbances. Students who are in a major depressive episode may be sleeping excessively at home and have tremendous difficulty waking up in the morning. Incorporate accommodations for this student into your daily plan. For example allow the student to arrive late, have less demanding academic subjects scheduled for the first and second periods of the day, keep student in brightly lit areas, etc.
Students with depression may have a hard time concentrating and remembering at school. The student is likely to need supports or accommodations in the classroom like: hard copies of notes/work, extended time on homework, break large projects into smaller steps, or an extra set of books for the student to have at home.
From the perspective of the teacher/administration:
School personnel need to understand that anger is often symptomatic of depression and that a student who is not working is not necessarily being defiant, but may be displaying symptoms. It is essential for teachers and administration to be understanding and offer outreach services and supports for the students in these conditions.
Communication between parents and teachers is imperative in this case. It could change the way the teacher and their class interact with the student, which can positively affect their self-esteem. Many schools also have counselling services or can refer families to Mental Health services to help students cope with stress.
From the perspective of peers/classmates:
If there is a student with depression in your classroom it is important to educate their peers. Educating students about depression will not only help the student who is suffering from it but will also help other students recognize when they might need help or when a peer or family member might be at serious risk of suicide.
In educating the students in the classroom about depression, it will help prevent any negative comments or bullying that may occur. It is important to create a positive learning environment where all students feel comfortable with their peers and do not let any student be ridiculed or mistreated.
There are a wide variety of strategies that can be implemented in the classroom to manage these implications.
Students with depression may feel great pressure to achieve and become overwhelmed. Small things often feel overwhelming to students with depression. They can be easily annoyed and hypersensitive to the comments and actions of others.
Students who have depression may also be having sleep disturbances. Students who are in a major depressive episode may be sleeping excessively at home and have tremendous difficulty waking up in the morning. Incorporate accommodations for this student into your daily plan. For example allow the student to arrive late, have less demanding academic subjects scheduled for the first and second periods of the day, keep student in brightly lit areas, etc.
Students with depression may have a hard time concentrating and remembering at school. The student is likely to need supports or accommodations in the classroom like: hard copies of notes/work, extended time on homework, break large projects into smaller steps, or an extra set of books for the student to have at home.
From the perspective of the teacher/administration:
School personnel need to understand that anger is often symptomatic of depression and that a student who is not working is not necessarily being defiant, but may be displaying symptoms. It is essential for teachers and administration to be understanding and offer outreach services and supports for the students in these conditions.
Communication between parents and teachers is imperative in this case. It could change the way the teacher and their class interact with the student, which can positively affect their self-esteem. Many schools also have counselling services or can refer families to Mental Health services to help students cope with stress.
From the perspective of peers/classmates:
If there is a student with depression in your classroom it is important to educate their peers. Educating students about depression will not only help the student who is suffering from it but will also help other students recognize when they might need help or when a peer or family member might be at serious risk of suicide.
In educating the students in the classroom about depression, it will help prevent any negative comments or bullying that may occur. It is important to create a positive learning environment where all students feel comfortable with their peers and do not let any student be ridiculed or mistreated.
There are a wide variety of strategies that can be implemented in the classroom to manage these implications.