According to the World Health Organization, “Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” Half of the teen population copes with a mental struggle. Whether that is depression, anxiety, or ADHD, teenagers around the world need a little help in the form of therapy or, honestly, just being smiled at. This past week at Yorba Linda High School was a special week to commemorate each student and show that they truly matter. You Matter Week was filled with fun activities and small gestures for the students to better their self-esteem and spread the love around campus.
Mrs. Gandy (S), a student counselor at YLHS, gave why the school brings together You Matter Week. “It’s important to bring awareness about mental health so that people know how to take care of themselves.” Mental health is a real problem amongst teens, and it’s important to know outlets and important ways to better your mental health. Increasing awareness of mental health brings communities closer. More teens will want to participate in community-held events and socialize when knowing that their mental health is at its peak.
You Matter Week is a small step to bringing our community closer and spreading awareness about mental health. A student at YLHS and member of ASB, Cienna Olsen (11) was involved in this week’s activities. One of the activities was writing each student’s name on a poster on campus to show them they matter. “It was cool hearing people say, “I found my name!” Seeing their faces light up really captures the essence of You Matter Week!
As teenagers fight the struggles of mental health, they are not alone. There are so many amazing and important resources that will help. Counseling is a great option; it gives specific help and personalizes visits to what a student is looking for. Counseling is a great way to talk and get advice about what can help you better your mental struggles. Along with counseling, just talking to a trusted friend is always healthy. They will always be there for you and truly know your real self. Subsequently, something small can always help. Making a plan to do something you like will never hurt. Whether taking a bike ride, shopping, painting, going on a trip, or just hanging out with friends, it can be a great scenic change and help mental health.
You are not alone, don’t be embarrassed to express your struggles because they will help you in the long run. Continuing to struggle will only hurt you more; always have someone trusted to talk to because they can be the reason your mental health will thrive. There is always a second option, Orange County has a health care agency that provides a Warmline. This line serves people with mild to moderate symptoms of a mental health disorder or at risk of developing one: (877) 910-WARM
Ultimately, spreading awareness about mental health is a great way to show that teens with mental health are not alone. You Matter Week at Yorba Linda High School is a great example of encouraging ways to improve mental health and the importance of spreading awareness among this generation’s teens.
