by Naomi Mims 

Trigger warning: This article discusses student mental health. If you, or someone you know, is having a mental health crisis, call 1-800-950-6264 or text the Suicide Hotline at 988. 

Between balancing academic demands, social connections and future planning, it is important to remember your mental health. Your environment often creates a place where stress, anxiety and depression can thrive. What is causing the strain, and how can peer communities help?

Poor mental health is rarely caused by one thing. The "Grades Over Growth" mindset where students frequently depend their entire self-worth to their Grade Point Average (GPA), test scores and college admissions. This transforms a bad grade from a minor setback into an unbeatable crisis. The strain of feeling a need to impress your parents and/or or teachers can feel exhausting. 

The average student gets less than 8 to 10 hours of sleep which is far less than the recommended amount. Chronic loss of sleep harms the  prefrontal cortex, which helps regulate memory, emotional control and anxiety. With this lack of sleep comes screen time abuse. Screen time can replace the time for academic focus, mental health, sleep quality and physical well-being. 

Many students have unhealthy coping mechanisms such as turning to nicotine or vaping to ¨numb¨ the feeling of everyday stress. Studies show that vaping daily can make students highly depressed. Others may physically harm themselves by cutting or scratching in order to cope with emotional pain. These acts of self-abuse are often unseen.

If scrolling through certain accounts on social media makes you feel insecure or left out, mute or unfollow them. Surround yourself with people who are loyal and kind to you rather than people you feel like you have to impress.

Another thing to do is talk to your counselor.Trust in them and tell them everything that is on your mind because it can really help to get everything off your chest. Find at least one adult at school you trust. 

  You are so much more than your stress, your scars, or your scores. Take a breath, find some peers and never hesitate to put your mental well-being first.