Mental health is a very important issue. Currently, many teens in high school suffer from mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other serious disorders.
Many things contribute to mental illnesses. We hear that bullying is the cause a lot of the time, but self-hate, stress and sometimes even guilt, to name a few, can be just as accountable. Everything piles up and then comes crashing down.
There is so much pressure put on teenagers: getting a job, finding and applying for a college and achieving good grades.
A problem for many is not being able to realize there is life after the pain or the mistake. As teenagers, we already have so much going through our minds and bodies that we struggle to find ourselves. We battle ourselves and, all at once, we have to ask the most important questions of who we are, what we are and who we love.
Isolation is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of mental illness. Perhaps it is because the mentally ill are so often isolated from our society, or maybe it is the physical emotion that comes with a mental illness.
Sometimes it is like a burden you just cannot put on anyone else. You cannot talk to your friends because you are too afraid they are going through something worse, or that they will not care. You might not have a good enough relationship with your teachers or parents to talk to them. Again, you are afraid they will not care or be able to do anything. Most of all, we fear they will tell us that it is just a phase.
It is becoming more and more difficult for adults to relate to the modern teen. The difference between our generations has become drastic. In the 21st century, social media has become mainstream and the internet is accessible anywhere. With constant connection comes dangers; there is no hiding from bullies anymore and home is no longer a safe haven. Cyber bullies are relentless, causing stress, anxiety, depression and, in worst-case-scenarios, suicide.
More and more these days, mental illnesses are not being taken seriously. On social media, you can find posts that mock serious mental disorders. There is also clothing and objects with phrases that depict mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders; they are not things to be joked about. Real people struggle with these illnesses and need to be taken seriously.
Mental illnesses and their impact on everyday lives should be considered and respected. People who have mental illnesses just want to be treated like everyone else, but still bring awareness to their struggles. It is best to be supportive in a sensitive manner.
Macy How is a grade nine student at École Côte-du-Soleil.
