With the stress of finals and AP exams, it is important that students and teachers take time for themselves to care for their mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month is a time where we can come together to bring attention to the importance of mental health. Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in Americans’ lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health is essential for a person’s overall health, and this month is an opportunity to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and provide resources and support for those who may be struggling. This month is a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that it’s okay to ask for help.
“There are a lot of social pressures nowadays, more than when I was growing up, especially with social media being the first thing we see when we wake up and the last thing we see when we go to bed,” relief teacher Jordyn Adia Seckel said. “With all the things that come with ill effects, like social media , I think it’s important to focus on mental health.”
One of the biggest challenges with mental health is that it can sometimes be difficult to talk about. In a lot of cases people can feel ashamed or even embarrassed to admit that they’re struggling mentally and they may not know where to turn for help. Mental Health Awareness Month is a chance to help change that. By starting these difficult conversations and sharing stories, we can create a more supportive and understanding environment among the Maclay community.
“I think it is definitely hard for some people to talk about their negative mental health,” junior Emma Zaiden said. “I think it is important for people to be able to have someone that they trust to talk about things like mental health with.”
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to make mental health and well-being a priority. As a community, it is important to work towards breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
