Mental Health Awareness Month: A Student Perspective

As we wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, several members of our WS/FCS family will share their thoughts about the importance of mental health.  Although the month is almost over, it is critical that we continue to #breakthestigma by increasing our awareness and understanding of this topic. Our student voice is Lillian Reid, a senior at West Forsyth High School. She has great insight and advice on how to support those with mental health challenges.

A Student Perspective

By Lillian Reid

Although mental illness has an unfortunate stigma attached to it, many people today have been diagnosed with one form or another. What some people don’t recognize is that mental illness is much more common than you might think. In fact, younger Americans diagnosed with mental disorders have increased significantly over the past decade, according to sciencedaily.com. Specifically, depression increased from 2005 to 2017 at 52% in adolescents, although anxiety is often associated with depression, so its numbers continue to rise as well.  

Something to keep in mind is that people can’t control whether or not they have a mental disorder. Most are not caused by any one thing or event; it is typically genetic. Another thing to acknowledge is that mental illnesses affect all walks of life, no matter the race, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic class. 

If you know someone with a mental illness, the best way to support them is to ask just that. Do not blame them; it is not their fault. But really, it is no one person’s fault. The most effective ways to deal with mental illness would be attending therapy and taking prescribed medication, although there are smaller things day to day that can be done as well, differing based on the disorder at hand. Allowing the person struggling with the mental illness to avoid things that trigger them will be largely helpful, not counterproductive, as many assume. Actually, forcing someone to do something triggering will only worsen the situation entirely. The best thing to do is to tailor a support system that works best for the one dealing with the disorder. With help from professionals and a solid support system, those with mental illnesses can go much more easily through life.