Here at North, we received bracelets that said “Break The Stigma” and “Everyone Fights A Battle You Know Nothing About, Be Kind.” This was because the month of January is Mental Wellness Month.

In 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month was established to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. This was largely due to World War II, as there was an increasing number of soldiers experiencing symptoms of mental illness impacting their mood, thinking, and behavior. It was also started by Mental Health America (MHA) organization also known as the National Association for Mental Health.

Well, what does “Break The Stigma” actually mean? Breaking the stigma is to increase public awareness of mental health conditions which is also known as helping to break down the silence and stigma that is so isolating to those experiencing symptoms.

Lots of teens suffer from mental health, In the past year, 15 percent of teens suffered at least one major depressive episode—that’s an additional 306,000 teens over the previous 12 months, according to the 2022 data from Mental Health America. On top of that, nearly two-thirds of teens with major depression say they haven’t gotten any help.

How could one help someone with their mental health or how can you reach help? Remember, it’s always okay to ask for help, you’re not a burden, and you matter. Trying to talk about your problems isn’t the easiest thing to do and it can take some courage. Take your time to get ready to speak out. You could try to talk to parents or close loved ones. If you aren’t sure about that, our counselors here at school are always ready to listen to your emotions and feelings. You could also help someone yourself too if they ask for some emotional support, how to do that is to listen, offer reassurance, stay calm, and help that person find resources that can help them. If you think you cannot help that person, try to contact someone you know who can help that person in need.

I asked students what they thought about mental health, a sophomore named Iris told me, “Mental health can get worse so seeking help is a way for it to get better.”

Another sophomore said to me, “You should always care about your mental health.”