The typical student obligations can often times be overwhelming; get a high GPA, get an even higher HPA, commit to a plethora of extracurricular activities, engage in sports, volunteer, and countless other responsibilities to follow suit. Living in the modern world means that getting into college is the most competitive it has ever been, due to application inflation and more eligible applicants than ever before. Enough stress can incite difficulty for any individual, let alone the countless adolescents struggling with mental illnesses in the United States.
In the United States alone, 1 in every 5 teenagers has a debilitating mental disorder. A study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health surveyed 10,123 teenagers (ages 13-18) and found that 31.9% of teens surveyed had anxiety disorders and attention deficit disorders, 19.1% had mood disorders, and 11.4% had substance abuse disorders. These overwhelming statistics suggest that a vast majority of young adults in the United States may feel forced into learning how to balance their mental health with every other aspect of their life. This very real issue, along with the hateful stigmas placed on mental illnesses, make coping incredibly difficult and different for everyone. However, there are key things to remember to ensure a less turbulent ride through high school for those with mental health issues.
1) DON’T TRY TO ACCOMMODATE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TO YOUR WORKLOAD, ACCOMMODATE YOUR WORKLOAD TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
There is far too much emphasis placed on taking only the highest level classes your school offers or overloading on courses in order to fulfill an exceptional amount of credits. This can very easily get out of hand very quickly. Enrolling in far too many or far too difficult classes and performing poorly in the majority of them is much more harmful than taking classes that match best with your time frame and skill level and excelling in the majority of them. However, this does not mean you shouldn’t challenge yourself. Motivation and some levels are difficulty are needed in order to give you a goal to power towards throughout the year, just remember balance is key. There is a very fine line between challenging yourself and your intellect versus drowning yourself in unmanageable schoolwork. Also remember that dropping a class has no impact on your GPA and shows colleges you took responsibility for your grades and can manage your course load more efficiently.
2) UTILIZE OUTLETS FOR ACCEPTANCE/ COMMUNITY PROVIDED BY YOUR SCHOOL
Some outlets include school guidance counselors, teachers you feel comfortable enough around and trust, as well as clubs and programs. There is a nationwide legal obligation requiring guidance counselors to uphold confidentiality, unless there is risk of potential endangerment. Not only is this an accessible way of vocalizing your feelings, but having a guidance counselor know of your conditions and struggles means they can give you recommendations on upholding academic responsibilities without risking your well-being or safety. Most schools also have clubs that discuss mental health issues, which can result in you no longer feeling isolated. If there is not currently such a club at your school, starting one will be an enjoyable activity that will help you meet people in similar situations and build a feeling of community without any neurotypical framework holding anyone back. Make sure you are also aware of any potential programs that allow leniency if you have time management or attention issues due to any mental illnesses, such as a 504 plan.
3) CONSTANTLY REMIND YOURSELF IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT
It is so easy to fall into a self-deprecating cycle of self-blaming, but remember that you are NOT your mental illness and it is NOT your fault for feeling this way. If you are not able to concentrate on assignments, or find any motivation to get out of bed let alone do work, or face other complications that debilitate your academic performance, it is crucial to realize that this has no reflection on your actual intellect or capabilities. You are not lazy or dumb, and the sooner you realize this – the more hope you will have to improve your life and take care of yourself. If this did not persuade you, online chat therapy websites like BlahTherapy, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline chat, or 7cups of tea therapy chat are all sites that give you the ability to speak anonymously about your troubles or listen to others and help them with their troubles. These sites will connect you to people who are willing to remind you of your self-worth.
4) DO NOT FORGET TO WATCH OVER YOURSELF
With the ongoing stress of schoolwork, you might find yourself feeling incredibly unmotivated to keep up with everyday self-care. It sounds cliché, but it is quintessential to remind yourself to take care of your basic hygiene, to feed yourself, and to give yourself time to just be. Social media accounts, like @tinycarebot on Twitter, provide constant reminders to bolster self-care and ensure well-being. Remember that however important school is, it is far more important to keep yourself healthy.
5) CONGRATULATE YOURSELF FOR EACH AND EVERY FEAT
Throughout your day, be sure to acknowledge all of your little accomplishments. Not every grade will be an A, and that is perfectly normal; don’t let that negatively impact your state of mind. It is natural to have fluctuating grades, but unhealthy to let each and every grade heavily impact your self-image or self-esteem. All of your accomplishments, great or small, are noteworthy and significant.
6) CONTACT A REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT MORE ADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTH REFORM
Keep an eye out for proposed bills or legislation regarding mental health reform by visiting websites of mental health organizations (like NAMI or APA) and keeping up with news to see when you could have a chance to have your voice heard. You can always contact your state representative and write a letter or email about your experiences and your thoughts on making school a more comfortable experience for ALL students—including those with mental health issues.
If you or a close friend, classmate, even teacher or staff worker seems to be struggling with a mental health issue, remember to delicately and comfortingly reach out to ensure their well-being and a healthy school experience for everyone involved.
