Mental health is a real and current issue; even if it’s on the inside, it can have lasting effects.
We see it more and more in everyone, and although it varies in degrees that doesn’t mean we haven’t all experienced it in some way or another. And yet, even though we all know it’s there, somehow those who seem to suffer the worst, who need our help the most, get swept under the rug.
For whatever reason, some who suffer from mental illness have fallen under the label of being an unfit member of society. People who are already battling enough demons are made to believe their illnesses will keep them from their passions, desires, and their ability to succeed in life.
We’re only human. No one is invincible, everyone can be vulnerable and everyone is affected by their surroundings. All it takes is a pinch of understanding, just a little bit of sympathy and we can make difference in someone’s life. We need compassion from the school towards mental health; we need their encouragement.
If things seem rough, if school doesn’t seem to flow as smoothly as it normally could or a student doesn’t seem to be in their right mind and it’s affecting their academics, we should learn to recognize it as a problem. No one should be left behind just because of whatever internal conflict they’re facing at the moment.
Life isn’t always easy to keep up with. Sometimes it can be a little too loud, or sometimes there are triggers. Maybe the obstacles seem too daunting, but isn’t that why we need support?
If not our families or friends, kids should be able to turn to teachers and the school for help.
We’ve seen enough of those stories in the media of people being isolated, misunderstood and pushed away because of mental illness, so isn’t it time we learn from them? Kids need help, not negativity. We need to know we can overcome the dark moments, or that it won’t always be this hard and that we can succeed even after we’ve been broken.
We need to speak up. Our society can no longer consist of “perfect-fresh-from-mould” types; we’re full of diversity, stories and struggles. There are no defects, everyone is overcoming something, we just need to make room for those who need a little more time and a little more support.
Macy How is a grade 11 student at Brooks Secondary School.
