HILITE.ORG
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Trust the Experts Consult trained professionals when dealing with mental health issues RILEY TERBUSH COLUMN
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fter quarantine last
another’s problems. It’s important year, as activities slowly that friends feel comfortable constarted up again fiding in each other about and I was reunited with their problems. Howfriends at my dance stuever, when issues reveal dio, it was clear that the themselves to be bigger pandemic had negathan you know how tively impacted to handle, that is everyone’s mental when they should state. It was harder be handed off to to stay focused experts. and motivated Luckily, we in class and harder have a team of to have a positive trained counselors at stressed out mindset with the our school. Students sudden limitations and uncertainty should know that counselors are about whether we could perform again. always available to talk to, and that But beyond that, some of my there’s only benefits in opening up peers were struggling with much about their issues. deeper issues. My classmates started It may seem like more of a hassle confiding in me issues I didn’t know than it’s worth to get counseling, but how to react to; they revealed habits in the long run, it is worth it to speak of self-harm and disordered eating to a professional about life issues. It’s and even suicidal thoughts. also important to not downplay your I found myself trying to deal with struggles; even if, like me, you’re these problems on my own; I felt dealing with friends’ problems, menthat, as their confidant, it was my tal health care is still necessary. responsibility to make them better. Going to school everyday and evBut I was never sure that what I was erything returning to normal is a posidoing was correct or entirely helpful. tive change, but it will be hard to adjust It also took a toll on me to help to the increase in time at school and at my friends. It was very hard on me activities and may take a toll on mental when my friend told me they didn’t health. Don’t hesitate to direct others have a reason to live; I was terrified. or yourself to counselors to talk about And leaving the situation to adults these issues. And remember to take h somehow didn’t seem right either, as The views in this column do not necthough it was a betrayal of the trust essarily reflect the views of the HiLite my friend had put in me. staff. Reach Riley Terbush at rterWe are taught that mental health bush@hilite.org is important and should be taken care of, but we aren’t yet fully equipped Scan this to deal with it. Mental illness is very complex and nuanced, and it is best to read to direct peers to trained professionmore about als when put in a situation we don’t mental know how to handle. That said, I’m not saying it’s not health a part of friendship to listen to one
senior blues EXPECTATION: Finally, senior year! I can’t wait to not do any of my homework and hang out with my friends every day!
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LEAH TAN GRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE