by: Leah Kaylor

Mental health awareness assembly. Photo submitted by: Emma Helmick

The month of May is dedicated to bringing awareness to those who have experienced depression or anxiety and to bringing light to the struggles people go through day to day.  

Sophomore Alice Wilkinson is hoping that schools mandate more discussions on students’ mental health. 

“I think there are people that are struggling in GS with their mental health, and anyone can struggle,” Wilkinson said. “It doesn’t matter whether you have a perfect life or not, anyone can experience depression.” 

In just 2023, there have been over 47,000 suicides in the US, and the highest percentage are young adults who have experienced depression and/or anxiety, according to the CDC. 

Junior Ashlan Price hopes that the stereotype of mental health will one day break and students can open up more about their struggles without having to feel judged.  

“In high school I think it’s hard on students, especially with sports and the stress of a high school student,” Price said. “There are so many aspects of mental health; you can be tired or just feel sad which all can affect how you perform, especially in school.” 

The CDC states that suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of premature death between the ages of 10-24 in the United States. 

According to Psychology Today, there are studies that show that seeing a therapist has helped or even treated clinical depression. Therapists are able to engage and learn about a person’s life or struggles without becoming a part of it.  

“If someone is struggling, I would definitely suggest talking to someone such as a therapist,” junior Ella Henry said. “It’s about finding what works for you and what helps you such as drawing or journaling to cope with what you’re dealing with.” 

The CDC states that a person’s mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Mental health includes a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being.  

“Mental health is a person’s ability to respond and cope to certain thoughts, feelings or emotions,” Mrs. Alyssa Lukatch said. “When disruptions in those thoughts, feelings or emotions start to occur, mental instability starts to happen.” 

Mrs. Lukatch believes the concentration should be one’s mental wellness instead. Each individual needs to look at what self-care methods or coping strategies they have in place in times of emotional and mental instability. 

“The school does a great job prioritizing mental health,” Lukatch said. “I think that at some point we as individuals need to prioritize our own mental health.”