Mental health plays a crucial role in one’s overall well-being, influencing success in various aspects of life.
As midterms come to an end and the third quarter approaches just around the corner, students feel pressured to bring their grades up and finish the school year off on a positive note. The workload can unexpectedly begin to pile up, making it easy to get overwhelmed and lose focus of their goals.
On the surface, students may make it seem like balancing academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, personal challenges, and a social life is manageable, but in reality, it is not as easy as it appears.
Stressors in students’ lives can deeply take a toll on a student’s mental health. School exams, personal image concerns, and the pressure of planning for the future are just a few of the many factors that result in stress for high school students. Poor mental health can affect one’s performance in both the classroom and on the playing fields, impact relationships, and cause one to make unhealthy, irrational decisions.
“Many people are unaware of how mental health is just as important as physical health,” senior and president of Active Minds Club Isabelle Ku said. “It ultimately dictates our way of life.”
When students are placed in stressful situations, they have two choices. They can either learn from their stressors or dwell on them. Ignoring these issues and suppressing feelings can cause more serious problems like depression and anxiety. However, approaching these setbacks head on can help one form healthy coping mechanisms, creating endless resilience. From these situations one can foster skills that will benefit them immensely as they continue to grow and prosper later in life.
One key challenge that most people will face especially at some point in their high school years is burnout. Burnout is the state of feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drained due to consistent stress across many aspects of one’s life. The pressure to make others proud, the constant workload, and the difficulty of juggling responsibilities are all factors that contribute to the progression of burnout.
Burnout is different from simply feeling fatigued since burnout is being mentally drained, not just physically, therefore sleep is not an easy solution. Navigating burnout for the first time may not be easy but with the right tools, it can be done successfully. Developing healthy coping mechanisms are crucial to preventing and overcoming burnout and any other mental obstacle thrown ones way.
One crucial way to prevent and deal with mental setbacks is by finding time for yourself. Whether that is going for a run or walk, reading, meditating, journaling, listening to music, watching podcasts, or simply sitting in silence for a few moments.
“When I am having a bad day, sometimes I will take out a piece of paper and right down how I’m feeling,” junior Syvonne Shadi said. “It helps me feel in touch with my emotions, which makes me feel better and more relaxed in stressful times.”
These small moments of finding time for things you enjoy make a bigger difference than you may think, even if it is just for 15 minutes of your day. Breaks are necessary for resting and reseting your mind, allowing you to channel your energy into a renewed outlook.
“When I am stressed, I like to play my favorite song and look outside,” sophomore Jolie Moalemi said. “I make sure that I take a break from whatever I’m doing to feel calm afterwards and approach my situation with a clear and relaxed mind.”
Another way to address mental health dilemmas is to look at life with a more positive mindset. Focusing on the bright side rather than fixating on the dark has been proven to boost one’s mood over time. While it may not always be immediately obvious, there is always good to be found in everything– you might just need to dig a little deeper to find it.
To enforce these ideas, take a moment after every day to reflect on something positive that occurred. Though some days may feel like nothing can go right, there is always something admirable to be appreciative of— you may just need to take that extra step to search for it.
Despite mental hurdles, there are always resources available for everyone, no matter what. North High offers countless support with guidance counselors who are always available, eager to help and share their advice. Trusted teachers or adults in the school could also offer similar comfort to those struggling or simply needing someone to talk to.
Another option is family or friends who share encouragement and laughter in times of need. Other choices include hotlines and online resources. The National Suicide Prevention Lifelie offers 24/7 support to those struggling with an easy call or text to 988, free of charge.
For those who know someone who may be struggling with their mental health, remember to always offer a helping hand. Reach out to let them know that you are always there for them and listen to them share their feelings free of judgement. Remember, you never truly know what someone might be going through, so it’s important to be kind to everyone.
