The Link Between Mental Health and Learning
Mental health and academic performance are deeply intertwined, and mental health challenges can create barriers to learning, often leading to lower academic performance.
As Brandy Samuell, eLuma’s Director of K-12 Mental Health and Related Services and veteran educator, explains, “Untreated mental health issues significantly impact cognitive functioning. Students struggling with anxiety or depression often have trouble concentrating, remembering material, and solving problems effectively.”
Research confirms this connection. A study from Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that children who exhibited behavioral and emotional problems as early as age three were more likely to struggle academically later in life. The takeaway? Early intervention matters.
Samuell compares the relationship between mental health and academic performance to a cycle: “If a student struggles with reading, they may become embarrassed and act out. This behavior can lead to disciplinary action or missed class time, which causes them to fall further behind, increasing frustration and anxiety. The cycle continues until the student disengages altogether.”
Recognizing Behavior as a Symptom, Not Just a Problem
Behavioral challenges in the classroom often point to deeper mental health struggles.
Cynthia Coufal, a Teen Anxiety Coach and former school counselor, emphasizes that “Anxiety can show up as outbursts, withdrawal, or aggression. Instead of punishing the behavior, we must address the root cause.”
Internalizing anxiety and depression and externalizing behaviors, such as aggression or defiance, in early childhood are strong predictors of later academic difficulties, reinforcing the importance of recognizing and addressing these issues early. Proven strategies like social-emotional learning (SEL) programs make a measurable difference.
Coufal continues, “Schools implementing SEL saw a 32% decrease in aggressive behavior.” When students learn how to regulate emotions and manage stress, they engage more positively in the classroom.
One case study from Chicago Public Schools, involving 160,000 eighth- and ninth-grade students, demonstrated the power of proactive mental health support. Schools that provided a welcoming and emotionally safe environment saw improved test scores, higher attendance rates, and fewer disciplinary infractions.
According to the study, “Students in these schools were 20% less likely to be arrested on campus.” This statistic highlights the broader impact of mental and behavioral health initiatives.
Practical Strategies Schools Can Implement Now
Schools can integrate evidence-based mental health strategies into daily routines to foster student success.
1. Train Educators to Recognize Early Signs
Teachers don’t need to diagnose students, but they should know the red flags of mental health struggles and when to refer students for support. Professional development in mental health literacy equips educators with the tools to intervene effectively.
2. Create Safe Spaces
A designated space, whether a calming corner in the classroom, a school counselor’s office, or a peer support group, helps students regulate emotions before returning to learning. In one case, simply moving a student’s desk to a location where they felt safer led to a dramatic shift in classroom behavior.
3. Shift from Punitive Discipline to Positive Behavioral Support
Traditional discipline models often fail to address the root causes of student behavior. Schools implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) reinforce positive behaviors and teach emotional regulation skills.
“We need to ask: What is this student trying to obtain or avoid with their behavior?” Samuell explains. “Once we understand that, we can provide proactive supports rather than just consequences.”
4. Use Strength-Based Screeners to Identify At-Risk Students
Tools like the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) help schools pinpoint students needing extra support before behavioral or academic issues escalate. These universal screeners focus on strengths, promoting resilience and emotional well-being.
5. Leverage Community Partnerships
Schools don’t have to address student mental health challenges alone. Partnerships with mental health professionals, colleges, and community organizations can expand access to counseling services.
For example, a school could partner with a local college to provide mental health workshops during parent-teacher conferences, giving caregivers actionable strategies to support their children.
6. Integrate Mental Health Strategies Throughout the School Day
Small, structured mental health practices like deep breathing exercises, movement breaks, or journaling help students regulate emotions and transition between activities.
“Even a one-minute breathing exercise before each class period can help students refocus and engage in learning,” Coufal suggests.
Building a Future Where Students Thrive
When schools prioritize mental health, the results are clear: better attendance, fewer disciplinary issues, and stronger academic performance.
As Samuell puts it, “Supporting student mental health isn’t just about helping them feel better. It’s about empowering them to succeed.”
By focusing on a strengths-based approach and utilizing early intervention, schools can create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.
Partner with eLuma for Mental and Behavioral Health Support
At eLuma, we specialize in providing high-quality online mental and behavioral health services tailored to meet the needs of students and schools. Our team of experienced providers delivers teletherapy solutions that integrate seamlessly into school programs, ensuring students get the support they need to thrive. If your school is looking for a partner in student mental health, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn how eLuma can support your school community.
About the Experts
Cynthia Coufal is a Teen Anxiety Coach. She has a podcast and YouTube channel called The Teen Anxiety Maze. Cynthia spent 31 years as a teacher and school counselor in Public Schools. She started a podcast during the pandemic to reach her students since she couldn’t see them face to face. This led to her wanting to have a broader audience than just the students in her school building.
Cynthia now has clients around the US and listeners all over the world. Cynthia is YouMap®Assessment Certified. She uses the profile to help young people understand what their strengths, values, preferred skills, and interests are. This helps them find their WHY for tackling anxiety.
Brandy Samuell M. Ed. is a dedicated educator with over 32 years of experience. She has been involved in all facets of public education from classroom teacher to assistant superintendent. Brandy’s knowledge base spans general education, special education, mental health support, and school turnaround. She has experience working in charter, rural, suburban, urban, and virtual school settings. Brandy currently serves as the Director of Mental Health and Related Services at eLuma.
Brandy earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing, degree from Texas Tech University in 1989, and a Master of Education, School Counseling, degree from Texas Christian University in 2002. She has completed Post-Master’s work in Educational Diagnostics and Educational Leadership from the University of the Southwest. In addition, Brandy is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management; she has managed multiple school-related crises as well as provided crisis management and crisis response training for school staff and community-based first responders.
While Brandy has a broad scope of knowledge and interests, the majority of her career has been dedicated to supporting the emotional and behavioral needs of students as well as managing, coaching, and developing staff. In her spare time, Brandy enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her animals, and working in her yard.
