Short Feature Story: Mental health and High School students
With the rise of social media and other additional factors in a young students life, mental health has never been more crucial to spread the word on than right now. Being in High School is such a big time for these young student’s academic, and social journey. From maintaining a social life, meeting new friends, keeping up with all extracurricular activities, High School is no easy task. Parents, teachers and friends frequently disregard the toll these activities take on these students and their mental health. These mental issues are often overlooked due to these students’ young age and ability to keep up with many different activities at once, but the truth is that being highly involved can become very stressful for these young growing minds.
The main issue seen today is that Mental health is not being taken as seriously as it should be. Parents and teachers often feel that mental health is not a real issue, or something worth taking action about. Mental health is real and incredibly important, along with taking quick action when symptoms are first shown. Roughly eleven percent of teens have been found to have mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and more. These mental health issues heavily affect the way these students perform in school, and even their physical health. Some physical repercussions of mental health include impact on the immune system, sleep disorders, hormonal imbalance, and digestive health. All of these things take a toll on these students as they try to keep their head above water with school, along with dealing with their mental health struggles.
With these very real side effects and physical implications from mental health, it is more important than ever to take this topic with grave importance and validate those who seem to be struggling with mental health. Though these are more serious examples of how mental health can affect these students, It may not always look like this. Many students can often internally struggle with mental health issues, and often won’t reach out for help. Mental health doesn’t always look like a full blown mental disorder. Many times it looks like difficulty concentrating in class, decreased motivation, changes in social behavior, avoidance of responsibilities, and loss of interest in hobbies. This is why it’s so important to check on our peers when they might seem fine, but really are in a time of need.
The first and best thing you can to to help these students is educate yourself. What is mental health, and how does it actually affect this person in their daily life? By understanding these simple questions we are taking the first steps in better understanding these students and friends of ours, so we can help them overcome these internal mental struggles. Offering support and a safe place to talk about any issues can greatly help a person who is struggling. When approaching a friend that seems to be struggling, it’s very important to approach the situation with compassion, practice, and understanding. The first step is to listen without judgment. Let them speak how they feel. Oftentimes, a person might not need physical help, but simply a place to vent and talk about their feelings. When feelings are kept inside and bottled up, it can often lead to more serious issues such as depression and other physical implications. This is why it’s so incredibly important to spread this topic and help these kids when it first starts, so we can come together as a community to help these kids continue their academic journeys in a safe and happy environment.
In my personal experience, I remember struggling with mental health in high school. What I wanted more than ever was to simply be understood by someone, and feel that I wasn’t alone in my struggles. This is why I think that all high schools should require students to take a short course on mental health. This would allow students to better understand the topic, and spread the word to others. Not only would this educate the students, but help others who are struggling. This course would let them know that they are heard, and the school is actively taking steps for their personal well being. Other ways we can help these students is to be present and available. Checking in on a friend regularly shows them that they matter to you, and that actively getting better is worthwhile. Encourage them to speak to a trusted adult or therapist if needed. And most importantly, respect their boundaries.
Everyone copes with mental health struggles in different ways. This is why crucial to recognize this, and understand that it might not be the same way you cope with troubles in your daily life. Mental health is just as important as other serious physical health issues. By taking these small steps in the right direction to help high school kids in their academic journeys will make all the difference for their physical and mental wellbeing, for the rest of their lives.
SOURCES
https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/teens-are-talking-about-mental-health
