By Jakiyah Mack
Features and Entertainment Reporter
CMHS students strongly believe in how class and after-school activities affect their mental health because that makes them feel drained, depressed, and tired.
Graphic courtesy of https://wuhs.wascouhsd.org/
¨School is stressful for most high school students like myself. Most days are draining, and the work is pressing. Therefore, sometimes it could affect my mental health,¨ Marisa Marbury said.
School and after-school activities have a great impact on kids and their future. However, it can also affect kids from all the pressure, the environment, bullying, relationships, and even the time frame. According to some students, they agree that school and after-school activities can have a strain on mental health.
¨Dealing with coaches that give you a hard time could be discouraging and tiring. I cope with my mental health by listening to music, playing video games, and just overall staying out of the way. When I want to talk about it, I go to my friend Jakiyah,¨ Karion Young said.
The CDC website states that when people are hands-on with students, it can have a greater impact. Schools that promote student mental health and well-being can improve classroom behavior, school engagement, and peer relationships. These factors are connected to academic success. Students agree that we need hands-on help for students.
¨Sometimes, just talking is enough. We need more people that are hands-on [about mental health issues], ¨ Josh Hill said.
Ms. Pagliuco continued this thought process by saying that prioritizing self-care is important, as when people is taking care of themselves, they exude happier feelings.
“Things like prioritizing sleep and exercise, or adopting breathing or meditation techniques are some examples, as well as possibly experimenting with essential oils,” Ms. Pagliuco said.
Students who advocate for themselves should be a priority, or getting a trusted adult to advocate for them.
¨Getting to the point where you recognize you might need help from someone is important, too. Seeking professional help does not mean that you have failed, but a realization that you want to be a better version of yourself,¨ Ms. Pagliuco said.
If a friend is struggling with their mental health, students should listen to them without judgment and offer support. It's important to encourage them to talk to a trusted adult, like a parent, teacher, or school counselor, who can provide guidance. Students should also reassure their friends that asking for help is okay and that they don't have to face challenges alone. Most importantly, they should remain kind and understanding friends during this tough time.
“I think a lot of times students do not feel comfortable telling an adult about their friend's mental health struggles out of fear that their friend will be mad at them. With this being said, students should know that they can always stay anonymous when they disclose any information about a friend. We want all students to feel comfortable coming to any staff member and voicing their concerns about a friend,” Ms. Pagliuco said.
Students should talk to their counselor if they're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or sad and if these feelings affect their daily lives or relationships. It's also important to seek help if they're dealing with bullying, problems at home, or struggling to cope with stress. Counselors are there to listen and provide support without judgment, so it's okay to share any worries.
“Students can always email me or fill out a request to meet with me, and then from there, I will call students down either during an elective class or HERO. If it is an emergency, students should always feel comfortable to come down immediately and speak with me to one of our student advocate counselors,” Ms.Pagliuco said.
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