In a fast paced world, it is important to take consistent breaks to stop and assess how well we are dealing with the constant stressors appearing in our daily lives. From standardized tests, to distressing news stories, to peer conflict, we are constantly under intense pressure to perform our best.

In our society, there is a certain stigma surrounding discussion of mental health and many consider mental disorders to be a weakness. Freshman Eric Badjan says, “People think it’s their own fault for being that way, but that’s not true.” This misinformation and lack of understanding leads many to misjudge disorders surrounding mental health. This often leads to a lack of conversation surrounding mental health in the classroom, which only perpetuates false ideas of how mental health affects individuals. It is important that we grow accustomed to talking about our mental and emotional states in order to strengthen our overall wellbeing and ensure that we stay healthy. According to neaToday, most mental health disorders develop before the age of fourteen, but people suffering from these disorders wait until adulthood to seek help. Starting the conversation early can encourage people to seek help when they need it.

According to a press release by the UK government published on Feb 4, England is implementing mindfulness classes for pre-school age kids as a large scale experiment surrounding mental health. 307 schools are participating, setting aside time for breathing exercises, meditation and learning how to safely manage and control emotions. While some students like Junior Sydney Antezana say that “At that age, [students] are not developed enough to worry about these things,” others like Junior Maverick Mendoza say, “By forming good habits early, it will be easier for these pre-schoolers to deal with topics surrounding mental health in their futures.” At our school, we have Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons. These include self-reflection, goal setting and learning how to deal with some of the stress we face as teenagers. A lot of students like freshman Marisa Tremblay think “they are a waste of time that could be better spent with friends.” In high school, SEL lessons feel too little too late, but starting with these kinds of classes at a younger age, as they are doing in England, could help us develop healthy habits for coping with stress earlier in life, rather than waiting until we are in high school to hone in on these essential skills.

Students like Mendoza, who is a part of a student led organization advocating for mental health, work to better educate students and counsellors on how to deal with mental health issues. A lot of students are not aware of the scope of problems that counselors can help with. Senior Zachelli Pena-Roldan says, “Any way to bring change and help is always good.” By opening up the conversation and educating the population as a whole, we can change the perception of mental illness and ensure a more educated community.