search….The system is large, lumbering and cumbersome.” Said Gianoulis, who too feels the weight of the system: “I can’t disagree with that.”
Listening to students pays off
With a lack of school social workers, counselors often find their hands extremely full - often too full. Though most do all they can to give proper help, many people forget that the role of the counselor primarily involves college applications, career planning, finding scholarships and writing letters of recommendation. According to Gianoulis, counselors spend “probably 20 percent of our time dealing with social or emotional problems...Some students want to talk about their problems, and need to, but the unfortunate thing is, as a counselor, you don’t have the time in a day.” With that being said, however, students who approach counselors are almost always heard out. “If we know there’s a student in need, while we may not have the time, we can refer the student to outside resources. If I were in a situation where a student really needed something, we would...find the time.” Yet while counselors like Gianoulis work diligently at their professions, the lack of help leaves them at times with no other option than having to “weigh how serious the issue is.” In fact, it has even gotten to the point where, according to Gianoulis, school workers “may think there’s an issue and don’t address it, because it could open a can of worms that could be extremely time-consuming.” Here in Chicago, it is difficult to discuss mental health among juveniles
without mentioning one particular condition - posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Steve Bogira, a journalist with more than 40 years of experience writing about poverty, violence and mental health in Chicago, has seen and reported on the drastic impact of PTSD. Bogira is the author of "Courtroom 302: A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Criminal Courthouse."
Trauma takes its toll on students
“PTSD has become a popular subject, for good reason, but it’s not a youth phenomenon. It’s been a problem for poor families in violent neighborhoods forever. We’re just now realizing the toll it takes,” he said. Inside the classroom, as Bogira describes, the toll this condition is taking hits extremely hard. “When people are exposed to violence, directly or indirectly, it triggers the fight or flight impulse, and puts people on edge, makes people more likely to respond more quickly to what they perceive as a threat,” he explained. “It’s very hard for kids to focus at school, when they’re not only consciously concerned about threats to them, family, or friends, but subconsciously as well - their systems are always on guard.” In terms of creating solutions, Bogira too sees a lack of help coming from the Chicago Public Schools. “Schools are a great platform of intervention for kids who could use help,” he said. “What is stopping us from getting [help] in more schools? There’s a host of problems. We need a host of programs.” A third CPS student, who also wanted to remain anonymous,
knows firsthand how the lack of proper help hinders her ability as a student. Struggling with panic disorder, she at times is unable to focus on the material in class, instead preoccupied by worrying about a potential upcoming panic attack. Her depression can spark irritability and a lack of patience when it comes to homework. However, she doesn’t see her conditions as an entirely negative deal. “It caused me to try to fight it and taught me the lesson of vulnerability in which you shouldn't be afraid of it,” said the 16-year-old junior. “I believe I'm a stronger person today because of these mental illnesses.” While the vast majority of mental health help in schools is dependent on CPS itself and its policies, it was evident to all three students that among their peers, awareness is developing, tackling perhaps one of the biggest challenges of all. “Awareness is finally being raised, and more and more teens are becoming open-minded and supportive of their peers,” said Kaylaa Velazquez. “I feel like a lot of the older generations won't believe it, but it's becoming more accepted by the younger generations,” said the 17-year-old Northside senior. “People are starting to realize that depression, anxiety, etcetera don't make you entirely different. We're all human and we all have flaws,” said the 16-year-old junior. When it comes to mental health, teens are sparking a movement of acceptance and potential solutions. CPS needs to move in the same direction.
13