By Gracie Snoddy
Stigma is defined as a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. If we apply this to mental health you get a mark of disgrace of the mental well being of a person. A mental health stigma is something that is thriving in high schools all across the country. Many teenagers do not know this simply because they have never been taught the importance of mental health, and others are too scared to say anything. Some teenagers are not able to function on a day to day basis because of how they feel inside, and others are lucky enough to have found a way to better take care of their mental state. Being aware and in the know is the first step to making a change to the epidemic sweeping across our schools.
Jokes are made on a daily basis in our school, and many others. Logan County might have great academic and sports programs, but does that even matter if we cannot have a place where students are not made fun of for their struggles? D.J. Penrod,
a new freshman at Logan County, verifies that several jokes have been made about people and their insecurities. Freshmen are secluded here at LC, but does that not show a problem with the students that are coming up in our school? Off handed jokes are made about depression and anxiety, which are both two issues that many teenagers struggle with. A junior at our school, Ellie Sandlin, states that “They are not addressing it as a problem, but as something that is funny.”
When jokes are made and people laugh, students no longer feel like their mental struggles matter or are valid.
What are two things that everyone sees as important in our school? Sports and academics. Teachers push us hard to make certain grades and test scores. Our peers, staff, and members of the community are hard on us to make sure we win that one game. We stress all week about a test, and we wake up a 4:30 in the morning just to get in some more practice time for the game on Friday. The things that are pushed heavily in our school cause the mental health of our students’ to diminish, and they cannot talk about it. They are expected to do well, or they are made to feel like nothing. Ellie Sandlin talks about how you cannot embarrass yourself on the field or else you are at risk of being made fun of and look bad in front of all your classmates. Not everyone is good at sports, or the smartest in the class. These things are stressed to us so much starting at a young age, that we begin to doubt our greatness if we are not good in these areas. Academic and athletic successes are great, but are they worth the loss of our students mental capacity?
Salinas County Schools District, in Monterey County, CA are introducing new methods to address the mental health issues in the middle and high schools. They have begun building wellness centers on their campus. These centers are available for students to go to seek social, emotional, and mental health while at school. This school district us trying to address all problems that could come forth in the classroom. The people are trying to raise awareness for their students to the community and parents.
Finally, Mr. Spears defines a stigma as “A misinterpretation, something that is not accurate.” The kids at Logan County do not understand the effect of their jokes. They do not understand what mental health is. The job of those who do know and understand is to stand up and teach those who don’t. Teachers, administrators, and students all possess this power if they are willing to fight for those who are hurting. Mr. Spears told about how a mental health campaign at Logan could help students to understand and consider those around them, and what their words and actions mean. LCHS is already is beginning to make improvements. Starting on September 3rd, we will be having a mental health specialist to aide the counselors in their endeavors. Moreover, Kentucky is moving in the same direction. According to Mr. Jordan Dobbs, who is currently getting his masters in counseling, Kentucky plans to implement a policy where 80% of a counselors time is dedicated to helping the mental, emotional, and social health of the student body. In the end, what does that football game, test score, or laugh mean? Our mental state lasts a lifetime.
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