Mental health is directly related to the formation of independent and sound personality and self-confidence and self-improvement spirit of primary and secondary school students. In July 2021, the General Office of the Ministry of Education issued the Notice on Strengthening the Management of Students' Mental Health, requiring each primary and secondary school to have at least one full-time mental health education teacher.
In the view of Li Ling, a deputy to the National People's Congress and principal of Hope Primary School in Xuwan Township, Dongxin District, Zhoukou City, Henan Province, in the process of implementing this policy, the progress of various places is different, and the gap between urban and rural areas is obvious. At this year's National People's Congress and the National People's Congress, Li Ling put forward relevant suggestions on the allocation and training of full-time mental health education teachers
The first is to include the allocation of full-time mental health teachers in primary and secondary schools as an important part of local education supervision and comprehensive school performance evaluation. Include the allocation of full-time mental health teachers in primary and secondary schools as an important part of educational supervision, increase the proportion of full-time mental health teachers in primary and secondary schools in comprehensive school evaluations, and include them in the evaluation system for principals and school leadership groups.
The second is to strengthen the support and guarantee for the professional development of mental health teachers. Mental health teachers are given appropriate preference in the evaluation of professional titles, salaries, and awards. Include the work of full-time mental health teachers in primary and secondary schools in performance management, ensuring that full-time psychology teachers enjoy the same treatment as other classroom teachers.
The third is to innovate systems and mechanisms to accelerate the allocation of full-time mental health teachers in township primary and secondary schools. Entrust relevant normal schools to train mental health education teachers in township schools free of charge, and directly assign them to the staff. Refer to the current recruitment model for teachers for special positions, and openly recruit graduates majoring in mental health education or psychological counseling with professional qualifications.
Fourth, clarify the academic requirements. In principle, full-time psychology teachers should have a bachelor's degree or above in psychology or related majors.
Fifth, health departments at all levels should regularly or irregularly organize all kinds of training and exchange activities for mental health education for primary and secondary school students. Full-time mental health teachers in primary and secondary schools must conscientiously participate in activities such as study, further education, training, and exchanges organized by professional institutions, so as to increase their professional level.
In addition, primary and secondary schools in all regions should make key arrangements for mental health education as a compulsory part of pre-job training, professional training, and daily training for class teachers and teachers of all subjects. Administrative departments for education and schools should strengthen coordination and linkage with health departments, establishing mechanisms for mental health establishments to support and coordinate mental health education and psychological crisis intervention in schools. For students with serious psychological crises that exceed the school's ability to counsel and intervene, schools should assist parents and promptly refer them to professional institutions for diagnosis**.
Author: Pang Ke.