by Wilfredo Portillo

Mental health is something we all deal with every day, whether we realize it or not. Have you ever found yourself just lying in bed, struggling to get up in the morning, even when you know you have to? Or maybe you’ve questioned how you’re really feeling but can’t quite put it into words? This is something a lot of teens today go through. We don’t always understand our mental health, and it can be hard to figure out what’s really going on.

Experts have been talking about this for years, and it’s still a major issue. The American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency in youth mental health a couple of years ago, and the struggle is still real for so many teens. There are warning signs, and a lot of people understand what mental health challenges look like, but for parents and friends, it’s important to really try to understand what someone might be going through. Anxiety and depression are real problems that teens deal with every day. And the only way to help is to be open to talking and really listening.

Another huge part of this problem is the impact of social media. We’re constantly online, scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, etc., and it’s almost impossible not to compare ourselves to what we see. Whether it’s how we look, how successful we seem, or what kind of life we’re living, there’s always pressure to measure up to what others are putting on display. And most of the time, that’s just the highlight reel—it’s not real life. But it can make us feel like we’re not enough, which can lead to anxiety and depression. Finding a balance between online life and real life is important to protecting our mental health.

Sometimes, we reach a point where talking to friends or family isn’t enough. That’s when reaching out for professional help can really make a difference. Counselors and therapists are trained to help us make sense of what we’re going through. They offer a safe space where we can talk without feeling judged, and they can help us figure out better ways to cope. If things start to feel overwhelming, seeking out professional help could be the best step toward feeling better. Therapy is nothing to be ashamed of—it’s a tool to help us navigate life when things get tough.

If you don’t have access to a licensed therapist outside of school or you don’t know where to start, you can talk to Ms. Gaither, Patterson’s school psychologist, or to to one of the school counselors, social workers, and other mental health practitioners.