By Samuel Smith, Opinions Editor
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five U.S. adults have received a mental illness diagnosis. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, roughly one in six individuals ages 6-17 have experienced some form of mental health disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide and other forms of self harm, which are known expressions of mental illness, were the 10th leading cause of death for 2018 and 2019.
Mental health, defined as an individual’s psychological or emotional well-being, has been an ever-present factor in the lives of people, especially the lives of students, around the world. Recently, however, public outcry about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) techniques and the allotment of “wellness days” or “mental health days” to school calendars has raised the question: Are schools, or even the world as a whole, doing enough for the mental well-being of those in need?
“There were times when (mental health) was in the forefront and then took a backseat because maybe there were some other crises,” guidance counselor Lisa Wheless said. “I think that COVID, for all of its negativity, has brought to the forefront the fact that all of the mental health issues have always been there, but were exacerbated by COVID.”
The CDC found that from August 2020 to February 2021, the percentage of adults with anxiety or depressive disorder symptoms increased from 36.4% to 41.5%, seemingly due to the prolonged time spent in global quarantine.
The ramifications of that spike could be seen in the recent events at UNC-Chapel Hill, where several students lost their battle with mental illness. The suicides at one of the state’s most prominent colleges made national headlines and impacted countless lives across the campus.
“In September, there was a suicide at the amphitheater in the forest right on campus. About a month later, at the beginning of October, one of my suitemates came into my room and told me somebody had committed suicide at the dorm right next to mine,” said Aliza Snow, a 2021 FFHS graduate and current freshman in Chapel Hill. “I don’t know what they were going through personally, but if you don’t have close friends and a good support system, especially in a new environment, it’s just really hard sometimes.”
Following the suicides, Chapel Hill students came together in mourning over their lost peers and petitioned campus administrators to declare a “Wellness Day” without classes in October to address the harsh realities of what mental health problems can result in if left untreated.
A student at First Flight who wished to remain anonymous to speak candidly has struggled with mental health-related issues from a young age, so she understands and appreciates that “those left behind” in tragedies such as what took place in Chapel Hill can come together, but feels that there needs to be a more proactive approach rather than a reactive one.
“I have struggled with depression and anxiety since I was very young, probably around 10,” she said. “Mental health crises are everywhere and just because there are certain situations that were noticed and addressed does not change or help the situations of thousands of others that few have noticed… I just wish it didn’t have to get to the point that it did before schools started paying attention.”
In a hopeful sign that change may be here, a call for overcoming the stigma of talking about mental health issues has rung out in modern culture. Social media posts discussing individual hardships, the observation of Mental Health Awareness Month during May and representations of those with mental illnesses in a more positive light in the mainstream media can help let people know they are not alone and how to get help.
In the face of tragedies near and far and the spike in mental illness cases nationwide, a culture of understanding is required to assist those in need, both for their own needs as well as for those of the worldwide community.
“Many teens don’t have anyone to talk to at home, don’t have many friends at school or don’t have a mental health professional who cares about what they’re going through,” the FFHS student said. “It is really hard to find someone trustworthy to talk to and it’s even harder to start talking about (mental health), but everyone needs to start paying attention.”
If you or a loved one are suffering from a mental health crisis, you are not alone. You can reach out to:
SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP
National Suicide Prevention Line 800-273-8255
Junior Samuel Smith can be reached at 23SMITHSA22@daretolearn.org.
