Mental Health Committee

Story by Phillip Pyle »

There are many new changes this year, but one with an overwhelmingly positive goal is the Mental Health Committee. This task force, consisting of teachers, administration and a student liaison, has two goals in mind: to spread awareness and prevent suicide.

Special Education Teacher Jennifer Ramirez created the group in response to the recent increase in suicide attempts in the community and her and other teachers’ knowledge of mental health She knew that the problem needed to be addressed.

“We want to make sure our students have the resources and tools when they need them,” said Ramirez. “We don’t want anything more to happen if we can help it.”

During the first meeting, the group began a dialogue on the sensitive subject. In their brainstorm session, they decided that awareness needed to be the main goal of the committee.

Emma Foster, Jr., agrees with that assessment. She believes that many students who suffer from mental health conditions at EHS have no idea where to turn.

“They want to get help, but they are scared,” said Foster.

Many different factors can contribute to depression and anxiety. Foster believes that a heavy workload combined with internal and external pressure results in students developing severe anxiety.

“We are always asked ‘what will you do after high school?’” Foster explained, “and that stresses many high schoolers out.”

Mental health can seem like a foreboding topic for young people, but the Mental Health Committee wants to make it a more comfortable topic to discuss. In creating a conversation among students and faculty, they hope to create a more supportive and aware environment for students in high school.