We need to feel safe in schools

Violence seems to be on the rise – along with mental distress.

We have been shaken by the events in Celje, Trbovlje, and Belgrade.

This is exactly why security has been tightened around Slovene schools. Slovene students may notice a police officer around their school, but this is only temporary.

This is not the only measure. By the initiative of the Slovene Prime Minister, Robert Golob, on Friday schools had a cultural day of non-violence and tolerance during classes.

Unicef ​​supports this and suggests that schools use the material they have prepared.

We will open a space for conversations and activities with which we will strengthen the skills of mutual cultural communication, emotional resilience, and appropriate responses in the face of violent acts.

Darjo Felda, Minister of Education

The minister added that schools are constantly engaged in the prevention and early detection of violence.

Slovenia also has a protocol pertaining to this field. Additionally, teachers and principals are constantly educated about it.

Instructions are not always enough. The key is the human factor: the readiness of the teacher who is faced with a concrete example of the occurrence or threat of violence.

Darjo Felda

Principals and teachers warn that they have too few options. The ministry will, therefore, propose changes to some regulations.

After the pandemic, the mental distress of children and adolescents increased tremendously.

Young people face many risks and pressures. It is imperative that we provide them with support in times of need.

Danijel Bešič Loredan, Minister of Health

We must destigmatize mental health, i.e. equate it to our physical health, the minister believes.

In cases of violence, we must act decisively – protect the victims and not glorify the perpetrators.

Above all, we must realize that taking care of mental health is a task for all of us.

Glossary

To destigmatize means to remove the stigma and the unjustified social marking due to being different.

Points to Consider

1. Did you talk about the events in Serbia at school?
2. How are violence and mental health related?
3. Who can you contact if you have problems with one or the other?

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The original version of this article was published on May 10^th.