Each Mind Matters
Are teens today more prone to mental illnesses? Why is there so much stigma with mental illness today? What can we do to support today’s kids who are dealing with mental illnesses?
Mental-health disorders are NOT the result of personal weakness or character flaw.
**Trigger warning**
Beginning in 1949, May has been the designated month for mental health awareness. As a mental health ally, there is a continuous mission that is executed everyday: informing people of the variations of mental health illness and to be a support in letting people that they are not alone in their battle. In this article, the purpose is to shed light on the serious issues of what comes along with mental health issues. Although it may be hard to admit, everyone struggles and everyone has a diagnosis. No one is alone on the rollercoaster of life.
As of 2015, the Anxiety and Depression Disorder notes that 43.8 million Americans have communicated that they have a mental health disorder. Out of that number, one million have taken their lives since this report was done in 2015.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 16.1 million Americans revealed to have Major Depressive Disorder in 2015. This statistic represents that 6.7% of the population opened up to having a mental disorder. 16.1 million people out of the 325.7 million people who live in the United States of America. Out of the sixteen point one million, roughly around three million teenagers disclosed to having depression disorder. What is even more heartbreaking is that, according to the Child Mind Institute Children’s health report, in 2015, 60% of these adolescents were not seeking treatment. Depression is not just one bad day. It is an awful, endless cycle of bad days. It is the feeling of drowning in self-loath, hopelessness, and doubt. It is not being able to get out of your bed because you cannot bear to proceed with the day. It is losing interest in everything that you once loved. These things can maneuver their way into one’s life, controlling them--mentally and physically. When it reaches its peak and their is no outlet, it is possible that people may take their bottle emotions out on themselves. Uncontrolled thoughts could lead to wondering what life would be like if they weren’t around. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, each year 44,965 Americans daunting thoughts lead them to action. That is 44,965 lives too many. If you notice someone that is suffering, say or do something to help them. It could save a life.
Eating disorders are becoming increasingly more common, and it is painful to realize. Around 40%–60% of elementary school girls are worried about being overweight, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. And it is not just females; males worry as well. Many factors contribute to eating disorders, including genetics, social pressures, unhealthy relationships, and low self-esteem. They range from not eating enough (anorexia nervosa) to eating too much (Binge Eating Disorder). In addition, people with bulimia nervosa will binge and purge in a dangerous cycle. All of these conditions are dangerous and can lead to or are stemmed from depression. But even if they stand alone, they are still a great danger. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders reports that among all mental illnesses, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate. Once again, there are signs that could save a life if spotted. Victims of all three may constantly check themselves in the mirror for flaws, be obsessed with weight, and/or prefer eating alone.
You are NOT your diagnosis.
The stigma of mental health illness needs to be broken. Making fun about mental health illness needs to be stopped.
Ms. Reeves- Hampton on the Stigma of Mental Illness
“I don’t know yet. Its an area I would love to change around our entire culture. But, even if we just start with our school , the odds of you seeing a girl walking into the wellness center --9 times out of 10-- its going to be a girl and why is that? So, I almost want there to a be a whole school campaign and public service announcements or something. My son struggled majorly with anxiety but he was really good with the stigma part of it. His teachers knew if he was struggling with anxiety in the classroom, which he did, he just needed to get up and walk around for 5 minutes and he knew that. Kids knew he left class a lot, but he didn’t **** care because he needed to walk around. [Now] he’s like: ‘how come you guys get a wellness center? [Before] I graduated I would use that thing all the time. I need a place to be quiet.’ So, I think there’s hope that boys could get there. It’s going to take some influencers and take some quantity or influential boys to kind of lift that and to be able to say to their friend group; ‘like, ugh, I’ve been down lately.’ ..They could never picture themselves saying that in their friend group; its a big task. I follow this one women on Instagram her name is Jenn Gotch and she is the founder of this little creative company down in LA and she struggles with bipolar disorder and anxiety. She had these necklaces made by this other company and she sells them on her website and one is the word depression and one is the word anxiety so she wears them as conversation starters and stigma lifters. It was so fascinating because I brought it up to my health class and some of the kids [believed that] that’s celebrating depression. I was like: really? That’s so interesting that you see it that way, where as I would buy one; you know? Depression kind of ravaged my family --literally ravaged my family--so it was really fascinating to hear people’s reactions... to a necklace with the word depression on it. ...That was this rebellious act and ...shows you how bad the stigma is. "
Mental Health Club Co-President Simone Millan
Do you have advice for those who are battling mental health illnesses:
“For those battling mental health issues, although it’s a cliche, you truly are not alone. Whether it’s anxiety that stems from a test or a true clinical anxiety, every person needs to be treated gently and with love. This love needs to start with the individual themselves because the harder you are on yourself, the more difficult overcoming these serious issues ecomes.”
What impact does your club make to Las Lomas and its students?:
“Our club aims to raise awareness and shed the stigmas so many mental health disorders have. We want everyone on campus to feel safe and keep the conversation going on how to address the pain that comes with mental hardships”
What improvements do you think could be made between Las Lomas and mental health illnesses?:
I think further integration of the wellness center could improve mental health campus wide. As people become more comfortable to spend time there and learn more about it, they will realize the necessity of addressing these issues among teens. Hopefully, they will feel more apt to address them across our campus.
To get involved with the Mental Health Club at Las Lomas they meet every other thursday to plan events, play games ad fun activities like water color painting
Following questions answered by Clinical Director and Psychologist of Journey of Life Counseling and Assessment Services, Dr. Jaseon Outlaw, Ph.D:
Why are teenagers more prone to mental illness, compared to children?:
“Teens are not more prone to mental illness compared to children. It is just that the manifestation of mental illness is easier to detect in teens as language acquisition has taken place and children can communicate what is going on for them internally.”
What advice would you give to people who suspect they may have a mental illness?:
“I’d say to get assessed. It certainly does not hurt to work with a mental health professional to determine if what they are thinking might be going on is significant to qualify as a mental illness or not. One must work through their own feelings of stigma to do this, but I discourage self-diagnosis and suggest actually working with a professional.”
Do you have any advice for people who are dealing with mental health illness and do not have support?:
“Well, it depends on the disorder or presentation here. But a broad piece of advice is to be aware of your own emotions and responses to those emotions. This insight goes a long way in understanding why and how one behaves in the environment.”
What would you suggest schools do to aid students who are battling with mental illness?:
“Once again, seeking professional help is what I recommend. The misconception is that an individual can engage in a few interventions from reading a book and overcome the mental illness. It is nearly impossible with some of the more severe presentations.”
