The blurring of the lines between the realms oeducation and health has never seemed smooth. While there is a very clear need for good health and wellbeing to be on the further education agenda for students, we cannot, and should not, expect lecturers to be able to deal with the intricacies of healthcare being carried out on college premises without sufficient training.
That said, there is much that can be done to educate students and their families about healthy lifestyles. And this just might have the effect of raising awareness across the whole college community for lecturers and parents alike.
There are several key challenges to student health that many are dealing with. Self-harm, eating disorders and depression are all on the rise in teenagers, young adults and adults.
The government doesn’t fund a healthy programme any longer, although it is possible to find the Healthy Toolkit in the national archives. There are also some well supported local programmes such as those run in Leeds and London. These local programmes (there are others!) have some great resources and ideas for implementing health and wellbeing education in your collehe so it’s well worth finding out what’s going on locally to you.
Ideas for a healthy college
Raising the profile of health and wellbeing in colleges needn’t be costly or inordinately time consuming. Some ideas here for starters:
– Getting parents and carers on board is essential. A student’s first encounter with good health and wellbeing happens in the home so achieving parent buy-in can make the difference between success and failure in getting healthy messages across.
– Aim to focus on learning together – students, all staff, and parents – so that you can successfully guard against “preaching” on issues such as diet, which is sensitive for many.
– Outside speakers on health, wellbeing and fitness for the whole family may inspire gentle yet sustainable change for the better.
– Conveying information on spotting the early signs of depression, eating disorders and self-harm will invariably be helpful for parents and carers as well as staff. There is good quality information available online from relevant charities and many will have speakers willing to visit.
– Consider holding a fitness event, such as a 5k run, that the whole college can train for and take part in.
– Look out for research on health and fitness that can be shared with your college’s community. For example, this story in the New York Times on running may be inspiration for some!
– Encourage fitness through daily activities, such as using the stairs instead of taking the lift, walking or cycling to college instead of traveling by car if at all possible, moving more than sitting and so on.
– Create a day that values academic study as well as rest and relaxation, physical activity and time spent outside, if possible in a natural environment.
Find out more…
– Public Health England carries information on public health protection, health and wellbeing and up to date news on the latest health issues
– HealthTalk carries free advice, with accounts of young people’s experiences here and resources for teaching and learning here
– Beat – Beating Eating Disorders has a wealth of information and advice on its website
– The Young Minds website carries great information on child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing