I have long been an advocate of engaging students in real-life learning because it directs them towards a goal they can pursue in life and allows them to confidently step into the role they will assume.
The Reality In School Today
The current U.S. education system, organized into subject silos, often fails to connect concepts across different areas of study, unlike in the real world where information is blended. In fact, the majority of students have no clue what they want to do in life when they finish high school. This lack of direction and goal is detrimental to students’ mental health. This not knowing of what is one’s goal in life or one’s role in society, can very fast develop into a feeling of inadequacy and low self-esteem. The road from here to a full fledged depression is not long. Of course, there are other factors that contribute to depression, but a feeling of confidence in one’s skill and direction can assuage the deterioration towards depression and drug abuse.
The Vermont Youth Project
One place that understands the connection between mental health and the ability to step into life with confidence is the state of Vermont. In 2017, due to the growing number of substance abuse and student mental health, which exceeded those of the entire U.S., the state decided to look into the possibility that a more long term remedial approach was needed. Their hypothesis was that there might be a connection between mental health and student preparedness for life. Through its Vermont After School organization, they decided to invite Dr. Siurala, the Finnish father of youth work and the former Director of Youth Services in Helsinki for many years, to learn from him and Finland on how they can support young people in Vermont. Finland is a country that is passionately committed to helping its youth succeed – not just in school and at work but at life. All children and youth are encouraged to find a “hobby” or interest, with trained “youth workers” supporting young people in growing up, getting ready for independent life, and feeling included in society.
Based on what they learned they created The Vermont Youth Project (VYP), a statewide initiative supporting communities with creating a built environment that embraces positive youth development. Vermont Afterschool helps participating communities with establishing local coalitions centered around positive youth development, creating localized plans to address risk and protective factors of youth, supporting youth voice and engagement, and building cross-sector partnerships and collaboration. Communities that participate in VYP commit to empowering youth and creating healthy accessible spaces for youth to be themselves, engage with peers, learn new skills, and connect with caring adults.
Vermont students who participate in up to 19 hours of extracurricular activities each week are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or get depressed than those who do not participate in any activities. Two out of three Vermont parents agree that afterschool programs make it less likely for youth to engage in risky behaviors. Participation in consistent, high-quality out-of-school programs are a known protective factor against substance use and risky behaviors. Organized quality activities, trained after school leaders, and accessible opportunities that out-of-school programs can provide are an effective primary prevention strategy.
Afterschool Programs As A Real-Life Project Hotbed
Since it is much more difficult to transform education to become more goal oriented and project-based, these out-of-school programs can serve as the missing piece solution that students struggling with substance abuse and mental health need to practice for directing them towards a permanent route of mental well being. This type of daily purposeful engagement can develop in students the life skills and confidence that are necessary when life throws a wrench at their path.