Beyond Books: Promoting Health and Well-being in the Classroom

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Dear educators,
As we strive to provide quality education, we must also ask: Are our students physically and emotionally healthy enough to learn?
SDG 3 — Good Health and Well-being — reminds us that learning and health go hand in hand.

Let’s explore:
How do you promote mental health, hygiene, nutrition, and emotional resilience among your students?
Have you organized any activities such as morning breathing exercises, cleanliness drives, healthy lunch campaigns, or emotional check-ins?
How can we support students who face stress, anxiety, or low self-esteem within the school environment?
What role can teachers play in spreading health awareness in low-resource communities?

A healthy student is a capable learner. Let’s share our ideas and success stories for creating classrooms that care for the whole child — body, mind, and heart.

@Mariya-Rajpar Beyond the Books aim to advocate for institutional change within university to prioritise mental health. This includes calling for better access to mental health resources, flexible deadlines, and more compassionate policies that consider students' emotional needs.

@Mariya-Rajpar Develop Meaningful Teacher-Student Bonds. ...
Teach Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills. ...
Create a Supportive Learning Environment. ...
Teach Coping Skills and Problem-Solving Skills. ...
Build a Sense of Purpose. ...

@Shaista-Begum
That’s a powerful and much-needed initiative. Prioritizing mental health within universities is no longer optional it’s essential. When institutions provide accessible support, flexible policies, and foster a culture of compassion, students are better equipped to thrive both academically and emotionally. I truly admire Beyond the Books for taking a stand and pushing for meaningful, student-centered change.

@Mariya-Rajpar
As a teacher, I believe that promoting students' physical and emotional well-being is essential for their academic success and overall development. To promote mental health, hygiene, nutrition, and emotional resilience among my students, I incorporate various activities into my teaching practice. For example, I start each day with morning breathing exercises or mindfulness sessions to help students relax and focus. I also organize cleanliness drives and healthy lunch campaigns to promote healthy habits and environmental awareness.

To support students who face stress, anxiety, or low self-esteem, I create a safe and supportive classroom environment where students feel comfortable sharing their concerns and emotions. I also conduct regular emotional check-ins, providing individualized support and referrals to school counseling services when needed. Additionally, I work with parents and guardians to ensure that students receive the support they need outside of the classroom.

As a teacher, I play a critical role in spreading health awareness in low-resource communities. I do this by incorporating health education into my curriculum, providing students with accurate and reliable information about healthy habits, nutrition, and disease prevention. I also partner with local health organizations to provide students with access to health resources and services. By empowering students with knowledge and skills, I can help them make informed decisions about their health and well-being, which can have a positive impact on their families and communities.

Ultimately, promoting students' health and well-being requires a collaborative effort from teachers, parents, and the broader community. By working together, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment that allows students to thrive academically, emotionally, and physically.