Most people say the teenagers of this time have the worst mental health so far. With the stresses of school and more, there have been high reports of mental health problems. Four out of 10 teenagers struggle with an overwhelming sadness. Most teenagers don’t tell anyone about their feelings and only 14% of the youth who struggle with mental illness have treatment or a therapist.
In this year of 2023, there are many new technologies, changes and a totally different lifestyle that has been known in the past. In recent studies, given from Adolescent Wellness Academy, 40% of new adults end up going into one of the worst types of depression because of little to no access to treatment or coping skills throughout younger life.
With the U.S being the fourth country with the highest suicidal rates, schools, parents, and friends have to give and find help for this generation. For some, there is not easy access to treatment of any form. FCPS schools have taken the steps to change this, as schools are encouraged and funded to help and have resources for students.
Charvi Bethu, a Senior at OHS, mentions her thoughts on the mental health supplies at Oakdale: “I personally am not the person who wants to talk about her feelings during school but the counselors are really good here.”
Although counselors are great for reaching out, there are multiple ways to get help. Oakdale High school is supplied with other resources such as Behavior Specialist, Erin Pierorazio.
FCPS is funded with $13 million across all the schools, for counselors and mental health resources. The school’s are growing because of the recent multiplying of communities in Frederick, Pierozaio explains. Nothing is set in stone but, “we will 100% get an additional school counselor,” she continued.
School counselors aren’t the only things that OHS offers for mental health. When asked about what resources students are given, Pierozaio replies: “We have a great group of school counselors, outside programs we recommend, and we set students up with in-house therapy if needed.”
If a student contacts the school about their mental health issues, OHS has an opportunity called Next Step, where if a teenager was in hospitalization because of their mental state the school recommends the Next Step program that can last about 8-12 weeks.
Everyone struggles with things, but no one is alone. There are many resources that are online such as- https://www.psycom.net/get-help-mental-health, but school is also here to provide some sort of relief for students struggling with mental health. Contact your counselor for more information or if you need help with your mental health.
