Anxious, bored, depressed, stressed; poor mental health is a dangerously common plague on high schoolers across the globe. However, Hazelwood West’s Wildcats work to combat its dangerous effects.

West’s Wildcats are no strangers to the impacts of poor mental health. In fact, when surveyed, 25 out of 30 Wildcats in a single class reported they experienced poor mental health at some point in life. While 20 out of 30 reported having faced poor mental health recently.

With the workload of school and the growing pains of adolescence, poor mental health is nearly unavoidable. Fortunately, that does not mean feelings of poor mental health have to be unsolvable.

“Personally, I like to listen to music whenever I feel stressed. Taking time to relax and listen to a favorite song can be a good way to relieve stress by tuning out the excess noise of the world.” Etinosa Egharevba, 11, said.

It’s also extremely beneficial to have an outside source or safe space to confide in whenever experiencing stress or mental strife. Speaking with someone other than yourself can give a new perspective on how to handle life, without having to go through things alone.

“I normally like to talk with my friends or family when I feel mentally strained. They always help me see the positive, even in seemingly negative situations.” Chloe Hayes, 11, said.

Creative outlets like arts and new hobbies can also be very beneficial in calming mental strain. Putting energy into a task that requires concentration and effort can help redirect thoughts that may otherwise be focused on stress or negativity.

“Sometimes I draw or color for hours on end; it helps me to focus on one thing and avoid overthinking or stressing about something I may not be able to easily control.” Leah McGhee, 11, said.

Wildcats may also find relief in participating in physical activities.  Whether it’s recreational, in school, or just for fun, being active can be a great aid in bettering mental health.  During physical activity, the brain actually releases endorphins, which help to boost a person’s mood.

“Whenever I play basketball, I’m so focused that I forget the things that may be stressing me off the court.” Travelle Willoughby, 11, said.

Mental management strategies, such as meditation, lower the stress hormone cortisol.  Cortisol can be physically harmful if released increasingly in the body during long-term stress. Meditation, in turn, calms the nervous system. This helps reduce mental tension, decreasing feelings of stress and anxiety

“Oftentimes, my workload is too much, or I need a break. When this happens, I make sure to take time out of my day to meditate or work out.” Mr. Kevin Gunasingham, a West Chemistry teacher, said.

It’s essential that people of all ages practice some sort of mental wellness strategies. There are thousands of varying activities and strategies that people around the world find helpful to help reduce mental strain. While not everyone will enjoy or partake in the same strategies, trying out at least a few and finding out what personally works best is extremely worthwhile when trying to improve and benefit your mental health.

According to McMillen Health, “Mental health is important for students because it is part of overall well-being. Good mental health promotes a student’s health, happiness, learning, and academic achievement.”