Mental Health in Schools

by Candria D'Souza Picture this: It's midnight, and you're staring at your textbook, struggling to keep your eyes open. You've got an exam in eight hours, and despite your best efforts, the material just isn't sticking. Sound familiar? Academic stress is the result of academic demands that exceed

We've all experienced stress at some point in our lives, and it's a universal phenomenon that knows no  boundaries. Students who are just embarking on their educational journey are not exempt from this reality. Research shows that stress affects individuals of all ages, with alarmingly high rates am

The holiday is often portrayed as a time of joy and celebration. However, for many young people, it can be a challenging period that exacerbates mental health issues. The pressures and expectations of the holiday season can take a toll on the mental well-being of youth. In this blog, we’ll explore s

An estimated 1 out of 5 students report being bullied at school, and students who experience bullying are twice as likely to experience negative physical and mental health effects. Although you might think bullying refers to a kid pushing another kid in school or insulting a peer, bullying can take

As of 2023, 41% of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. It is important to note that LGBTQ+ youth are not more likely to consider attempting suicide due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, rather it is because of their mistreatment and the stigmatization

INTRODUCTION  You've probably heard your peers or seen posts on social media throwing around the word “depression.” They could be describing feelings ranging from sadness to extreme fatigue, but  there is a lack of clarity on what depression really is. Depression is a clinical diagnosis, and it can

The start of the new school year can be exciting for many students, but it can cause anxiety to increase. Whether you are a student entering kindergarten, middle school, high school, or walking into your new college dorm, a transition is always a bit stressful. You may be worried about making new fr

Stress management consists of a wide spectrum of techniques and psychotherapies aimed at controlling a person’s level of stress, especially chronic stress, usually for the purpose of improving everyday functioning. Stress is a normal and healthy reaction to challenges or change, but unmanaged stress

Climate change is a reality, deeply threatening what the future of our world will look like. The concept of climate change has increasingly started to cause eco-anxiety: the fear of future harm to the environment due to climate change and human activity. Mental health clinicians are reporting that m

Bullying has become a crisis that threatens the wellbeing of students in schools today. The widespread use of social media and technology has enabled new forms of bullying that students can't escape, even at home. The trauma caused by bullying, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and eve

A graduation is a symbol of change, and moving onto new adventures. It opens a new door of opportunity for students. Rather than the end of one stage in a student’s life, a graduation signifies the beginning of the next. It is a time to appreciate the journey and all the accomplishments a student ha

Teens today face many strifes from the world around them that previous generations had not. Because of issues such as global warming, COVID-19, sharp political divide in America, and more dire conditions of the world’s current status, teens are caught in the crossfire. Mental health issues now affec

Even three years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many are experiencing long-term mental health issues as a result. Despite many opening up about their experiences with issues like anxiety or depression, too many Americans - our youth especially - are still suffering with no reprieve. CO

Trauma causes a stress response loop in the brain and body, commonly leading to feelings of exhaustion and dissociation. Trauma is a deeply disturbing or distressing experience that has lasting negative effects, even on youth mental health. Experiencing trauma can make people feel unsafe, harming th

Teacher mental health is just as important as student mental health, as the quality of education depends on teachers' wellbeing. People perform best when they feel good, meaning that valuing teacher mental health over productivity is key to a successful teacher-student relationship as well as improv

Building Student’s Confidence  Confidence is defined as being sure of yourself and your abilities, in a realistic way. The development of confidence is extremely important for youth, as it helps prepare for life experiences. It helps us move forward, and pick ourselves up and try again when we fail.

Final exam week is an especially stressful time for students. 45% of students experience higher than average stress during finals week. Just this statistic alone emphasizes the need to help students navigate this difficult time period. The finals week stress can stem from intense workload,  poor tim

Have you ever gone through a mental health screening? While they may seem intimidating, mental health screenings are critical in identifying mental health issues that more than half of all Americans struggle with daily. The process of screening involves a series of questions about your mood, thought

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by a pattern of unwanted thoughts and/or fears that lead to acts of repetitive behavior. The obsession portion of the disorder is distinguished by intrusive and distressing thoughts, images, or urges. Some common obsessio

“Indigenous'' describes any group of people native to a specific region. Overall, Native Americans experience serious psychological distress 1.5 times more frequently than the general American population. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among, and 2.5 times the national rate, for Indige

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S, with 18.8% of high school students having reported thoughts of suicide in the past year. This percentage is higher in female students, at 24.1%, and even higher among LGBTQ+ teens, at 46.8%. With suicide on the rise for

Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. It is a natural feeling that is meant to prepare us for challenging situations, but the way we respond and act on stress can depict how it impacts us. Unsurprisingly, everyone reacts differently to stressful

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a season related depression that takes place around the same time each year. People may start to feel sad and depressed when nature starts to change with the seasons. Most of us usually miss the summer light or the longer days during winter, but SAD is much more

According to the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), BPD is a mental illness that revolves around the inability to manage one's emotions. This loss of emotional control can negatively impact one's relationships with themselves and others. It is estimated that arou

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that occurs in people who have experienced one or more traumatic events. People may experience this in a number of different ways whether it's emotionally, physically, or both. This can affect one’s day to day life and may hinder thei

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions. The definition and criteria of autism has changed over the years, and will most likely continue to do so. It is usually characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and sometimes nonver

School counseling and mental health resources are only as effective as they are relatable, implying that personalizing these mental health care resources is vital to help students and educators with their mental health. AAPI students are a diverse group who face many stressors like balancing school

In honor of Earth Day, this article will discuss 5 ways that Nature impacts student mental health. Just being in nature can improve mental health, and schools can incorporate new ways to make ecotherapy more accessible to students. Yoga, forest bathing, having class outside, and outdoor meditation e

Up to 41% of high school students say they do not learn financial literacy in school. With higher education costs looming and many teenagers transitioning into financial independence, it is critical to teach students about bills and budgeting, credit and taxes. Financial education is crucial in toda

About 20% of students ages 12-18 experience bullying nationwide, and 15% of these students experience cyberbullying. Students experience various types of bullying including being the subject of rumors or lies, being made fun of, physically pushed, verbally assaulted, etc. According to government res