Opinion

HEALTH MATTERS TOO

social media negatively impacts Black youth.

Another factor that heavily contrib- get treatments, it’s usually through the utes to these kid’s poor mental state is juvenile justice system. It’s things like simple, overt discrimination. A report this that need to change. Everyone has a released by The American Phycological right to receive good healthcare but for Association, in 2017, stated that per- some reason people want to corrupt an ceived discrimination has been shown already tainted system.

to contribute to “ It’s mental health disorders among Te fact that the understandable to be igethnic groups. Another report, internet has access norant about things, but released by the Ofce of Disease to photos and it’s your job to educate Prevention and Health Pro- videos of police yourself when that motion, states that everyday brutality isn’t a bad ignorance becomes discrimination can turn into a thing. But it can be a problem. Black carconstant stressor and increase when your mental egivers out there, please health is at stake. Gabrielle Lashley ” one’s chances of developing a mental illness. There is a certain stigma about getting help for your mental educate yourselves and try to get your child the best health care you possibly can. To the state in the Black community that not Black youth reading this, always be carea lot of people know about. A lot of ful of what you consume online. The fact African-American guardians think that that the internet has access to photos if their child gets help, they would be and videos of police brutality isn’t a bad labeled as “crazy”and that they just thing. But it can be when your mental need to grow up and get over it, but this health is at stake. mindset can be very hurtful toward their When you see things like this, don’t kids. The adults in the Black community be afraid to talk to your friends and should be working together to get their family about the state the world is in and children good mental health care instead about your own mental health. To any of keeping the mentality of, ‘This is how school administrators, in times like this, we’ve always done it.’ it’s essential you reach out to your Black

Mental health facilities also have a students and try to provide them with lot of racial inequities engraved in their the mental health care they may not be system. This has really put the brakes on getting. any type of strides taken to improve the The importance of mental health mental health of adolescents of color. can be so easily overlooked when it According to an article released by The comes to the Black community. It’s alAmerican Psychological Association, in ways important to remember that Black 2020, Black youths are less likely than lives’ mental health matters too. their white peers to receive any treatments for depression, and when they do Instagram @yogabbygabby_l

College Corner: Applicatons, deadlines zooming by

By Delilah Brumer

This year may be unusual due to which can be flled out by seniors startthe COVID-19 pandemic, but that ing on Oct. 1. hasn’t stopped senior Susannah “The key thing students and parents Ness and many others from preparing for need to understand is that what (the college. FAFSA) generates is an amount that the

“I spent my summer gathering re- family should be able to pay per year for search and narrowing down my (college) college,” DPMHS College Counselor Linda list,” 17-year-old Ness said. “(I’ve been) Zimring said. “College fnancial aid ofces fguring out how the Common Applica- have the ability to override the decision tion works and doing essay writing work- of the FAFSA based on special circumshops to get ready for the application.” stances.”

This year, the college application Students can fnd out more about process is very diferent from previous colleges and fnancial aid through a years. COVID-19 has caused high schools group on Schoology called “DPMHS Colacross the country to move to distance lege Updates,” which Torres set up and is learning and this has caused many stu- open to all students at DPMHS. The code dents to worry that they will fall behind. to join is S37T-BQ2R-9PWBB. Seniors can Additionally, these circumstances have intensifed the difculty of college applications and changed student priorities. “I think just not having that time at school, since it’s virtual, it’s being “ I think it’s appreciated by a little more neglected,” Ness said about the college application pro- many current cess. “That’s been a little tricky.” A huge change this year is that seniors that they are the California State University schools have gone test-optional for this not requiring those admissions cycle. This means that while students are allowed to submit exams. standardized test scores, they will not be penalized for not doing so. The University of California schools have gone even further and are test-blind for this year, meaning they won’t accept standardized tests at all. “Right now we’re in a pandemic also explore colleges they are interested in through virtual tours. “There’s tons of virtual tours being Martina Torres ” Photo by Delilah Brumer College application dates and deadlines vary for each college students apply to. Seniors should check with and students, especially seniors, have so hosted,” Torres said. “Every campus is each university for deadlines. much stress already going on,” DPMHS ofering workshops these days. Some counselor Martina Torres said. “I think campuses are ofering tours and applica- “I think my biggest advice right it’s appreciated by many current seniors tion workshops.” now is (for seniors to) keep their options that they are not requiring those exams. There are many things for seniors open,” Pevar said. “The world is changing I think it gives (seniors) a little bit more to consider when applying to college, a lot right now. Explore all the diferent ability to show of themselves in other especially during a pandemic. Luckily, options available to you.” ways.” there are many resources available and

Financial aid is also a major part of counselors Torres and Zimring, as well as the college application process. Most DPMHS Magnet Coordinator Leah Pevar, Instagram: @delilah_rose2004 fnancial aid is through the FAFSA, a form are working hard to help.