GOOD mental health among teachers and students is essential when dealing with challenges in schools, says National Substance Abuse Advisory Council acting chief executive Josua Naisele.
Mr Naisele made the remarks at the recent Fiji Head Teachers Association conference in Nadi.
He said school leaders needed to understand how to intervene when students or teachers faced challenges and recognise signs that they might need support.
Mr Naisele said some heads of schools referred teachers for counselling when they noticed symptoms of emotional or mental distress.
“Learning healthy coping skills – remember, it’s very important to identify healthy coping skills that you can apply when you start to feel these negative emotions,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of recognising the signs and symptoms of students experiencing challenges in their lives.
Mr Naisele said the council was also supporting selected primary schools through a mentoring program.
“We are engaging some of the retired teachers to become mentors in the selected schools,” he said adding that consistent support to students was important.
