Topic 2 Use Vs problematic use-signs and symptoms

The teacher noticed that Andrew, a 14-years-old student, who so far had good grades, started to miss classes and show low grades. He was missing classes mostly during Monday mornings. It was also commented in the teachers' room that when they approached him he reacted nervously. In addition, the teacher knew that his mother, who went to school regularly to find out how her son was doing, had not shown up for a few months, even when she was called.

Regarding this situation, there is a question: what is happening with Andrew?

The teacher, thinking on what the most appropriate thing is to do to help Andrew, decides the following:

1. Gather more information to find out the reasons Andrew is absent during Monday mornings: is there any activity/obligation that cannot be combined with the lessons? Is there a problem/difficulty in the family that restricts him from going to school?
2. Gather more information about Andrew when he is at school. Does Andrew show any other signs that should worry the teacher (for example, leaving school earlier, bloodshot eyes)?

One teacher was aware that Andrew had started helping his father on the weekends with the family's small vegetable garden and the housework. His financial situation had become difficult by the time his mother was admitted to the hospital due to a sudden operation and recovery and his father was fired for drinking.

Realising the difficulties he was facing, the class teacher decided to talk to Andrew. Respecting the student's data, the teacher spoke to him privately. During the conversation, the teacher tried to understand what it was like to experience the new family reality and what were the points that Andrew considered to be the most critical. He also agreed with Andrew that he would talk to another teacher who has had knowledge of various social programs and would try to find some help.

After several meetings, Andrew began to behave normally again at school.

The other teachers said that they has also realised that Andrew's behaviour had changed, but they considered this to be a normal stage of adolescent development. However, the assistants reported that Andrew had memory lapses and he appeared nervous on many occasions.

The teacher thought to speak to Andrew during the long break. They went to a quiet and secluded spot and the teacher began to say that he noticed some changes in his behaviour that he would like to understand. The teacher began to specify some of these changes, such as the fact that he was missing classes or not coming to school or situations in which he seemed to be more inactive, for instance, the fact that he was missing the gym classes he was enjoying. The teacher let Andrew time to react. He also told him that other situations troubled him, such as memory lapses and irritability. Andrew said that everything was fine and that there was no problem. After that, the teacher arranges that they meet at the same place and at the same time to re-evaluate Andrew’s behaviour. Andrew saw the genuine interest and respect with which the teacher treated him and told him that he had started dating a new group of people who occasionally drink and now did not know how to handle the situation.

The teacher considered that Andrew needed more specialised support and referred him to the school psychologist. Despite the psychological support, the weekly meetings continued.

A teacher should be alert regarding changes in the behaviour/attitude of the students.

• Teachers should first write the symptoms and signs they see repeating and compare (the teacher can ask several actors of the school that have contact with the young person to say if they have also noticed any changes). They can write down changes that have to do with the student, the school grades, the socialisation, the family (only changes that you observe). The teacher has to be sure that the behavioural changes are not the result of the adolescence phase only.
• Talk to the student and share that you see some changes. Ask about the reasons for the change, ask what the student thinks to do and if they need help.
• Ask for support from a professional if necessary: Talk to the psychologist/school counsellor of your school to give you further tips or even support you in this task.

In Andrew's school, the conflicts between students inside and outside the classroom have increased. In addition, the general school’s performance has lowered.

At the same time, the school board felt that the teachers felt frustrated and unable to deal with the students, abandoning the effort and blaming everyone and everything for the unpleasant conditions. In addition, a gap had been created between teachers and assistants: they no longer worked as a team.

The question is: What can be done to improve this situation?

To deal with this negative situation, the following measures were taken:

1. Teachers participated in training seminars for the implementation of personal and social skills development programs for students.
2. The support staff was trained to strengthen the importance of their role in the dynamics of the school.
3. Meetings of students were organised per class, to suggest activities that would like to be done more in their school.
4. Clubs were created for leisure.
5. Awards were established for the best students (in various subjects).
6. Support meetings were organised for parents.
7. Group building seminars were organised for school professionals.
8. An office of psychological and social support was created for students, teachers, families and school staff.
9. The school started collaborating with nearby universities to develop programs in various fields - psychology, education, science, fine arts, food science, etc.