In today’s world mental health is a serious problem among Middle School and high school students. Youth with poor mental health may struggle with school and grades, decision making, and their physical health. Some common mental health struggles faced by students are anxiety and depression.
Mental health problems often go hand in hand with other health and behavioral risks that often lead to bad decisions. According to the CDC 39.7% of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, 28.5% experienced poor mental health, 20.4% seriously considered attempting suicide, and 9.5% attempted suicide. Finding resources in school can help combat the problem of high schoolers facing mental health issues.
The resources in our school are the counselors and Hope Squad. Hope Squad is group of nominated peers that acts as a support group for students and are dedicated to spotting warning signs and preventing suicide. Something students can have a hard time with is being able to trust who they are talking to about their problems, but school resources are confidential so anything a student says can not be repeated outside who they tell whether that be a Hope Squad member or counselor.
School counselors can also offer Arbor Family for all Elkhorn staff and students as a place for therapy. Arbor Family is a therapeutic center that all Elkhorn Staff and Students can go for free the first two times visiting.
Students now need more help with their mental health than ever. By recognizing and addressing mental health challenges early on, students can improve mental intelligence and create positive connections with peers and teachers. It’s crucial to understand that seeking help and going to all available resources is a significant part of building a healthier mental state of mind.
A student’s mental health directly impacts academic performance. Students with good mental health tend to have better concentration and motivation leading to improved grades.
“Mental health is not only important for high school students, but humans in general,” counselor Martha Dowd said. “Every person is going to have highs and lows that come their way, and they need to be able to know what works for them to get through that.”
High school can be a challenging time filled with stress, anxiety, and emotional unrest. Professional help from counselors provide coping strategies and tools to manage emotions effectively. Challenges faced by students can come in any shape or form. Some of the most common being stress from a homework assignment or a disagreement with a friend.
Mental health education teaches students life skills, stress management and effective communication. These skills are essential not just for high school but also for adulthood.
Ways students can unlock these skills is through the school counselors and the resources at Elkhorn North. There are numerous strategies that kids can use to cope with their health such as listening to music, drawing, exercising, playing games, etc. Another tip by Mrs. Dowd, is being able to control one’s thoughts, and take charge of those thoughts and determine what things are and aren’t in their control.
Encouraging open conversations about mental health within schools and homes creates a supportive environment where every student can thrive. Let’s remind each other that taking mental health seriously is just as important as studying for tests or participating in extracurricular activities.
