National Mental Health Day Recognized

Corrected information regarding OHS Student Services contacts was added on October 24, 2023.

National Mental Health Day was recognized on Oct. 10, 2023. It was declared on Oct. 10, 1992, with the intent of spreading mental health advocacy. Over the years it has developed into a worldwide movement with a set theme each year. This year’s theme is “Our Minds Our Rights”. The aim is to amplify that mental health care is a human right that everyone should have access to.   

Mental health has been a top priority of schools in recent years. The teen mental health crisis has risen drastically.  In a survey of high school students by the CDC in 2021,  44% of participants experienced persistent sadness and hopelessness while 29% said they experienced poor mental health.

Between school, extracurriculars, family, and other stressors to balance, it’s easy to be consumed by pressure. This is why acknowledging everyone’s mental health is so important. Everyone experiences ups and downs, and it is important to know you aren’t alone. 

National Mental Health Day exists for this reason, to bring our struggles to light and to help people accept that it’s okay to admit you’re not okay.

There are several resources for students in a dark place, or students that just don’t feel okay. Oswego High School has several mental health resources available to students at all times. 

One of these resources is the Panther Pause calming room. Students can come down with a pass after they sign into the student services office. It has soft lighting and relaxing activities such as coloring sheets, kinetic sand, and meditation guides. If the day becomes stressful students have the opportunity to take a 15-minute break to regroup and prepare for the rest of the day. 

Taking a break from daily activities when life becomes too overwhelming is a crucial part of learning how to function through a hard time. 

Furthermore, students are always able to schedule an appointment with their counselor or school psychiatrist. They are assigned in alphabetical order on the school’s Student Services website.

One of OH school counselors is Diane Lupi, who is very aware of the struggles of students in high school.

“My best tip for people to handle their mental health needs is to schedule time in each day to not use his/her phone (unless for white noise) to process the day,” says Lupi. Taking time away from the stress of life to recharge is very beneficial, especially when it relates to social media since it can take up too much of our focus.

Lupi also suggests “to make a plan for the rest of the day or the next day to designate time for responsibilities, family time, friend time, emotional well-being, or any other needs” 

If you require further help outside of the school building, there are various professional routes to improve your mental health. Therapy and psychiatrists can help you deal with your struggles

“I go to therapy and see a psychiatrist to manage my medication for my mental health,” said junior Jordan Cox. 

But of course, removing the stigma of mental health can only be accomplished by acknowledging its presence in our lives.

“It affects everybody and anybody.” said Cox.

People often feel shame or embarrassment in asking for help. However, you are not meant to go through life alone. This is why movements like National Mental Health Day are so important in raising awareness and removing the stigma surrounding mental health. 

 “We wouldn’t look down on a diabetic for needing insulin, so why would society look down on a person for getting help with ?  In the last 30 years, we have made huge gains in this area, but we have a lot farther to go still,” said Lupi.

*If an emergency, please contact 911 or the 988 suicide hotline for free and confidential crisis support*