Mental health support for young people in educational settings has become an increasingly prevalent topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. Based on recent trends and the growing importance of this issue globally, it’s highly likely that questions related to youth mental health support in schools will continue to appear in future IELTS exams. Let’s explore this topic through a carefully selected question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that schools should take responsibility for teaching students about mental health and wellbeing. Others think this should be the role of parents or health professionals. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question addresses the debate over who should be responsible for educating young people about mental health. It requires candidates to:
- Discuss the view that schools should teach mental health and wellbeing
- Explore the alternative view that parents or health professionals should take this role
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter
Let’s examine sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-scoring response.
Band 8-9 Sample Essay
In recent years, the importance of mental health education for young people has gained significant attention. While some argue that schools should be at the forefront of this educational effort, others believe it is best left to parents or healthcare experts. In my opinion, a collaborative approach involving all these parties would be most effective in addressing this crucial issue.
Proponents of school-based mental health education argue that educational institutions are uniquely positioned to reach a wide audience of young people consistently. Schools can integrate mental health topics into their curriculum, ensuring that all students receive this vital information regardless of their home environment. Moreover, teachers often develop strong relationships with students, making them well-placed to identify and address mental health concerns early on. By normalizing discussions about mental wellbeing within the school setting, this approach could help reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
On the other hand, those who advocate for parental or professional involvement in mental health education have valid points to consider. Parents have an intimate understanding of their children’s personalities and experiences, allowing them to tailor mental health discussions to individual needs. They can also provide ongoing support and reinforce positive mental health practices at home. Health professionals, with their specialized knowledge and experience, can offer expert insights and evidence-based strategies for maintaining good mental health. Their involvement could lend credibility to the information provided and ensure that it aligns with current best practices in mental healthcare.
In my view, the most effective approach would be to combine the strengths of all these stakeholders. Schools could provide a foundational education on mental health, incorporating it into subjects like health education or personal development. Parents could complement this by fostering open discussions at home and modeling good mental health practices. Health professionals could contribute by offering specialized workshops, providing resources, and training school staff. This multi-faceted approach would ensure comprehensive coverage of mental health topics and create a supportive ecosystem for young people’s wellbeing.
In conclusion, while schools, parents, and health professionals all have valuable roles to play in mental health education, a collaborative effort would be most beneficial. By leveraging the unique strengths of each group, we can create a robust support system that equips young people with the knowledge and skills they need to maintain good mental health throughout their lives.
(Word count: 377)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that justify a high band score:
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly stating a personal opinion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, with sophisticated phrases like “uniquely positioned” and “multi-faceted approach”.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used accurately, with only minor errors.
Youth Mental Health Education
Band 6-7 Sample Essay
Mental health is an important topic for young people today. Some people think schools should teach students about mental health, while others believe parents or doctors should do this. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
There are good reasons why schools should teach about mental health. First, schools can reach many students at once. They can make sure all students learn about mental health, not just some. Teachers see students every day, so they can notice if a student is having problems and help them. Also, if schools talk about mental health, it might make students feel it’s normal to discuss these issues.
However, some people think parents or health experts should teach about mental health instead. Parents know their children best and can talk to them in a way that suits each child. They can also show good mental health habits at home. Doctors and mental health experts know a lot about this topic and can give the most up-to-date information. They might be better at answering difficult questions about mental health.
In my opinion, the best way is for everyone to work together. Schools can teach the basics about mental health in classes. Parents can talk more about it at home and set a good example. Health experts can come to schools sometimes to give special talks or train teachers. This way, students can learn about mental health from different people and in different ways.
To conclude, while schools, parents, and health experts all have something important to offer in teaching about mental health, I believe a team effort would work best. This would give students the best chance to learn about and take care of their mental health.
(Word count: 292)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates good qualities that align with a Band 6-7 score:
- Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though with less depth and detail than the higher band essay.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but uses simpler linking words and phrases.
- Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is appropriate but less varied and sophisticated compared to the Band 8-9 essay.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, with generally good control of grammar and punctuation.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Mental wellbeing (noun) – /ˈmen.təl wel.biːɪŋ/ – The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy mentally.
- Stigma (noun) – /ˈstɪɡ.mə/ – A strong feeling of disapproval that most people in a society have about something.
- Collaborative (adjective) – /kəˈlæb.ər.ə.tɪv/ – Involving two or more people working together for a special purpose.
- Proponents (noun) – /prəˈpəʊ.nənts/ – People who support an idea or theory.
- Foundational (adjective) – /faʊnˈdeɪ.ʃən.əl/ – Forming the base from which everything else develops.
- Complementary (adjective) – /ˌkɒm.plɪˈmen.tər.i/ – Combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other.
- Multi-faceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌl.tiˈfæs.ɪ.tɪd/ – Having many different aspects or features.
- Ecosystem (noun) – /ˈiː.kəʊˌsɪs.təm/ – A complex network or interconnected system.
- Leverage (verb) – /ˈlev.ər.ɪdʒ/ – To use something to maximum advantage.
- Stakeholders (noun) – /ˈsteɪkˌhəʊl.dərz/ – People with an interest or concern in something, especially a business.
Conclusion
The topic of youth mental health support in schools is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The impact of social media on youth mental health
- The role of physical education in promoting mental wellbeing
- Strategies for reducing academic stress in schools
- The importance of emotional intelligence in the curriculum
Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is practice. Try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice will help you improve your writing skills and prepare you for success in your IELTS exam.
