MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

by Izzy Munn design by Carson Embree

Students may struggle with the problem of having poor mental health, and most may not know how or where to get help. Between the pandemic and every year high school stresses, students are looking for resources. North has a lot of resources that can help students who may be struggling. Health and physical education teacher Erin Miller speaks on different resources available to students. “We are fortunate to be a part of a school that takes mental health issues seriously and with care. Columbus North has many resources to help students deal with mental health issues,” Miller said. “Columbus North is full of adults, teachers, administrators, counselors, deans, support staff, and coaches, who are here to help students when they are struggling.” Along with the group of adults and teachers that can help students struggling with mental health issues, CNHS also has resources that partner with outside resources to help students.

“We have a BCSC Counseling Counts Student Support Line in partnership with United Way. This is a great resource that provides support for our student body. It is also good to know that our community provides many resources for students and families in need of mental health support,” Miller said.

Along with Erin Miller, another resource North students have available to them is the school mental health counselor, Heather Schafstall. “Columbus North has very good resources for students, I believe many students don’t know how to get help. The staff at Columbus North are very supportive and want to help students however they can. The stigma that surrounds mental health may keep people from reaching out. Students that are having trouble only need to ask for a referral and can be seen by mental health professionals in school or in offices in the community.” Schafstall said. While finding a professional to help us as students is one route of treatment, finding yourself a good group of friends that will support you is another great way to help cope according to senior Zacaria Brooks. “Other than, if it gets bad enough,

find a professional, I would say to get solid friends and a good inner circle. You have a lot of acquaintances at school and a lot of class friends, but find friends that you know are going to be there for you, and help you with everything outside of the classroom because I know that has helped me a ton,” Brooks said. 20% of high school students say that their mental health has “significantly worsened” in the past two years 7.1% of children aged 3-17 years have diagnosed anxiety

of children aged 3-17 years have diagnosed depression 8 in 10 kids ages 13-17 receive treatment for depression Only 30% of depressed teens are being treated for it. discoverymood.com