From time to time, we as students get caught up in our workload and grades. This can be damaging to one’s mental health. Mental health issues can appear in unlikely places. They don’t care how glamorous your life is. They don’t care if you have lots of friends; you can still be struck by depression or anxiety. It can be helpful to open up to your friends about what you’re feeling, don’t be afraid to show your weaker side.

Often, we bottle things up until we can’t take it anymore. If you have a friend or a classmate that you know is going through some mental health issues don’t be afraid to reach out to them. If you are having trouble, talk to someone and try to get help.

If you don’t feel comfortable telling your friends, then you can go talk to any of our counselors: Mr. Direnzo, Mr. Donahue, or Mr. Eller. They may be adults, but their years of experience with high schoolers have left them well equipped to recommend a positive course of action to you. All that aside, they’re good people who genuinely care for the health of the students here. Even if you simply want to talk to one of them on a day you’re not feeling your best, drop in and say hi. It’s what they do!

When a friend reaches out to you, things can get complicated: your friend may not want you to tell an adult in order to keep the problem from becoming “serious.” If the situation appears to be getting to a point where a fellow student is talking about harming themselves, then you should tell an adult–– don’t wait until they’ve already taken steps to do so.

Informing a counselor is not a betrayal of your friend’s trust: it is a step towards helping them. Of course, you should always respect your friends’ privacy, but on occasion it is necessary to inform an adult in order to prevent a friend from doing something harmful. It is not the right move to go to your other friends and gossip about it.

No problem is too little to talk about. If it’s bothering you, bring it up! Sometimes we need to take a step back from our studies, relationships, and other things that occupy our daily lives, and focus on our health. Keeping yourself healthy and happy ultimately matters more than how well you do in school. This is not to say you shouldn’t put effort towards your schoolwork, but to urge you to realize when the stress is becoming too much.

Mental health issues can cover a wide range of specific disorders, but all can have significant impacts on a person’s well-being. Always listen to when a friend is opening up to you, and you should never brush things off as not too serious. Please reach out to a friend, a parent, a teacher, a counselor, or someone else you trust if you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or depressed.

Sometimes it’s a good idea to either check in on a friend or to make sure they know how you’re currently feeling. If you take anything away from this, make it this: always seek help, and don’t ever be afraid to tell someone what you’re going through because we’re all here for you.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a crisis, call any day, any time, any reason: 1-888-7-YOU-CAN (1-888-796-8226). This number is also located on the back of your student ID.  Crisis Resolve is a 24-hour, 365-day crisis service that is free to all residents of Allegheny County, regardless of your ability to pay. Crisis Resolve can provide services such as counseling, support, referrals, and intervention services. When you call, you will be talking to a licensed clinician. Remember, any day, any time, any reason: 1-888-7-YOU-CAN (1-888-796-8226) or visit: https://www.upmc.com/services/behavioral-health/resolve-crisis-services.

UPMC also offers a specialized service for teens who may feel depressed or suicidal called STAR (Services for Teens at Risk). STAR is a program for kids aged seven to 18 that combines clinical and outreach services for mental health. For more information about STAR, call 412-246-5619 or visit: https://www.upmc.com/services/behavioral-health/teens-at-risk.