From last year’s Mental Health Week fundraiser to the incorporation of the zero hour, the discussion of mental health is slowly becoming more and more normalized. While this progress is great and needs to be continued, we at The Tower believe there is still work to be done if we wish to completely de-stigmatize mental health. 

Our mental health is more important than our physical health. We need to take care of ourselves both mentally and physically.

There needs to be a larger push for communication between the staff and students at South. They are not just here to educate you– they are here to make sure you have a successful future.

A solid line of communication is necessary for improving this idea, and as everyone is getting adjusted to the beginning of the new school year, now is as good a time as ever to begin this topic of conversation.

There are resources to help you here at South in addition to your counselors. The teachers here are necessary in your success– they’re here to make sure you’re performing your best while balancing your life outside of school as well.  

South places such importance on taking rigorous courses that many students fear falling behind in their classes and how others could judge them for it. Counselors have acknowledged this with recent push during class scheduling, making sure you’re  aware you are of your workload and balance when signing up for classes, and The Tower commends them for it.

The topic of mental health was brought up at the class meetings as well. 

While their idea of telling the student body about how important mental health in one place had a good intent, it was not effective. It is not enough to just display a slideshow of facts about what mental health is and trust that students will advocate for themselves and reach out for help if things get tough. 

Mental health is specific and varied to every person, and it should be treated as such.

We at the Tower believe it is crucial for us to form explicit dialogue between students and teachers regarding the communication of mental health. Creating and establishing opportunities between students and staff is a step in the right direction for if we wish to make any sort of progress.