Students aim to focus on most important learning standard - mental health

One in five adults in America struggle with some sort of mental health issue, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That, statistically, would mean five students in the average classroom of 25, 75 in the senior class alone, and 331 people total throughout West. 

Mental health problems run much deeper than simple statistics. The issues people face are very real and can affect how someone goes through life. People throughout the country struggle, and people going through the chaos of high school are no exception. With endless tests, homework and pressure to get into college, high school can be one of the most stressful triggers that a teenager experiences. 

With stress comes mental health struggles, and with these struggles of mental health comes stress.

Because a high schooler is at school for eight hours a day, five days a week, it can become where they spend most of their time. Because of this, it's important that there are resources that may aid them in any mental health struggles. With funding issues or lack of student input, going to the school counselor may not be an option for some students, or they may not feel comfortable. 

There are several factors that may influence the pervasive nature of these issues amidst the student body: a stigma surrounding talking about mental illness and its attributes, lack of training and education of teachers and how to deal with it, etc. But, despite these factors and their implications, the majority of teachers make an effort to understand the challenges arising within their classrooms. 

The perspective that teachers are uneducated on the subject and therefore unable to deal with these problems is not shared by everyone. Several students are fortunate enough to feel that teachers and their school counselor in specific can help them through their daily struggles of high school life. 

Junior Nava Lomena affirms that West does its best to make sure students feel comfortable in reaching out for support. 

“I feel that there are some areas where the school does very well with doing their best to check up on the mental health of students by doing small things to show that there are resources,” she said.

Additionally, according to Stellpflug, the school attempts to mitigate the shame and negative connotations surrounding mental health in schools. By bringing to light issues that students may be facing, she believes West aims to aid students in coming forward. 

“Even just a video talking about these subjects that are too often 'taboo' in society helps remove unfair stigma and judgment from these topics,” she said. “This can help so many students start a conversation about their own depression, anxiety and mental health without complete fear of judgment and disregard.” 

However, Lomena still recognizes the need for a myriad of different resources, not just sticking to the confines of a school counselor or therapy dog, helpful though they may be. 

“I do think that there are still areas where the school struggles with in handling mental health. Just because one thing works for somebody, that doesn’t mean it’ll also work for someone else; there needs to be a variety,” she said.

Despite a need for more resources, there are still many that are available for students to utilize as they move through high school. Sometimes, going to a trusted adult first isn’t a possibility, or a dire one at that, and talking to the counselor first is a better option. 

Additional resources that are available to students are the screening and surveys provided by counselors and teachers. Many students may find these screenings annoying or a waste of time, but it can be something that allows teachers and counselors to reach out to those they did not know were struggling. 

According to Stellpflug, the importance of these specific resources given to students can encourage the health and happiness of the student body. The surveys may only connect a certain number of students' help and counseling, but it is nonetheless a step in ensuring the safety of the student body.  

“I think that the school also does a lot to promote student’s well being and eliminate stigma around mental health,” she said. “While some students find the mental health surveys to be a bother, they are incredibly beneficial and necessary for students who have no one else who will listen, and even if it only catches a handful of students who are struggling. That’s a handful of students who can now have an opportunity to get help.” 

Additionally, Lomena feels that most teachers try their best to be aware and understanding of the issues students face, and she recognizes the teachers that do take these problems and their implications they may have on daily life into account.

“There are teachers in the school that do a wonderful job in setting up a safe environment for students to feel comfortable and know that there are people that care and want to help in the best way that they can,” she said.

Overall, counselors and teachers included do their best to provide resources to students in need. But for counselors, it is sometimes difficult to fully grasp the needs of students and be preventative in helping them with different resources.

Lomena affirms that there are many teachers that deal with issues well, but also recognizes those who underperform in that area.

“I believe the school is understanding and aware of the mental health issues within the student body, but there are teachers and resources that are able to deal or handle it better than others,” she said. 

An issue that arises as students are struggling with mental health is a lack of education or miscommunication between students and teachers. In general, a large stressor that teenagers face regarding school is the sheer amount of homework that they endure over the course of the school year. Teachers are there to teach their classes and may not always be aware of the amount of work students have outside of only their classroom.

It is always possible that students can make a difference within their own communities. For Stellpflug, she is trying to create an environment of security for students as she communicates with impactful members of her community.

“The student council president from North and I are doing a presentation for the school board about mental health, and suggestions on what could help students. Something we discuss is about drug abuse,” she said.

What should always come first is one’s mental health. Keeping up with school and deadlines is important, but the health and well being of the student body should be taken into account first. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and students should feel welcome to talk to someone here at school if they are struggling.

According to Lomena, the most important piece for students to understand is that they’re mental health is important. They are valued in the space of school, although it may be difficult to understand or see in the climate they sometimes find themselves in.

“To all the students. Just know that your mental health matters, and there are people who care about and want to help you in the best way possible,” she said. “As we go into the next semester, know that you matter.”

by Anika Flores

Publlsihed Janaury 29 2024

Oshkosh West Index volume 120 issue IV