Good mental health is essential for overall well-being. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about mental health, recognize its significance, and work to break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Mental health affects how we think, feel, act, and make decisions. It influences our emotions, actions, and how we process challenges in life. For students, mental health is often impacted throughout the school year, whether it’s due to stress, schoolwork, the environment, the weather, or personal issues. It can affect both students and teachers alike.
New Directions Executive Director Lindsey Lamp emphasizes how mental health struggles can impact one’s sense of self-worth, making daily life feel overwhelming. She believes that mental health issues can create a feeling of disconnection, disrupting many aspects of young people’s lives.
This can affect teachers and school staff as well. Mrs. Lamp notes, “When teens are supported, believed in, and empowered, they don’t just heal—they become leaders who drive change for their peers, their communities, and future generations.” What we choose to focus on today can have a lasting impact on the environment we create for ourselves and those around us.
Mental health issues, like anxiety, affect many people, yet they are often overlooked. Anxiety plays a significant role in people’s lives, but many struggle to recognize the signs. Callie Pillow Prevention Educator and TAC advisor from New Directions reminds us, “It’s okay to not be okay.”
While this statement may seem simple, it’s powerful. Taking a step back to acknowledge your struggles—not just for yourself but also for those around you—can help create a supportive community and make you feel more comfortable in your situation. In a school setting, where everyone comes from different backgrounds, recognizing these signs is important. Even if the issue doesn’t seem to apply to you, it could be helpful for someone else. By being aware of these signs, you may be able to assist others who are unaware of their own struggles.
Mrs. Lamp adds that today’s teens face pressures and challenges that adults may not fully understand. Some of the key signs to watch for include: withdrawing from friends or activities, changes in sleep or eating habits, expressions of hopelessness or self-doubt, a negative outlook on life, increased irritability or anger, unexplained physical pains, and engaging in risky behaviors. These may seem like small changes, but they can have a huge impact on someone’s life.
Taking care of your mental health is important every day, not just during Mental Health Awareness Month. Lindsey Lamp from New Directions reminds us, “Although Mental Health Month brings important awareness, it is vital to recognize that mental health matters every day.” This means that we should make self-care a priority year-round. Mental Health Month provides an opportunity for people to feel less alone in their struggles and raises awareness of the signs that are often hidden in plain sight.
By recognizing and supporting mental health, we can create a healthier, more understanding environment for everyone.
