A Debate: Should schools or places of employment provide mental health resources?

 A Debate: Should schools or places of employment provide mental health resources? 

As mental health continues to decline, it comes with the question should there be more resources available? The first places that come to mind are the ones that children, teens and adults are spending the most time in, the workplace and schools. 

Should schools provide mental health resources? 

I believe schools should absolutely provide mental health resources. Statistics show that around 50% of lifetime mental illnesses begin by ages 14. A lot of young children and teens are mentally struggling and can find it embarrassing talking to close friends or family about the things they are going through. Providing outside resources to counselors, therapists, support groups, anything can be beneficial to a child/teen in need of help. Kids are spending between 7-9 hours a day in school, I find that a supporting environment beyond learning how to read, write and solve math problems is important. I also believe with helping a child improve the quality of their mental wellbeing it can improve their performance academically. 

Our "Balanced Boutique Journal" is the perfect way to incorporate your studies and mental health. Allowing you to take the appropriate notes needed for your school subjects and to journal when you're feeling overwhelmed and need to write about anything that may help with your mental wellbeing. Shop here! The Balanced Boutique Journal | CafePress

However, there are many people that believe schools should not provide mental health resources and that they are not responsible to. Some believe it can be an overburden on educators. Teachers are there to teach, not to play the role of a therapist. Educators may not have the resources, training or time to handle the needs of a student's mental well-being and that in general it isn't their responsibility to. 

Should places of employment provide mental health resources? 

I believe places of employment should provide mental health resources. My main reason in believing they should, overall, it can increase and create a more positive and supportive work environment. Employees should be in a place they feel supported. Statistics show that productivity is increased up to 37% in a supportive work environment. 

However, some people do not agree that the workplace is at all responsible to keep up with the wellbeing's of staff. The majority of people not agreeing with this has been employee concerns such as career limitations. There is a fear that when using mental resources provided inside the workplace it can negatively impact their career advancements and may make their employers believe they are "weak" or not suitable for a promotion or higher up offer. 

What do you guys think? Do you think schools or places of employment should provide mental health resources? Comment below with your input and opinions!