4 Feature January 25, 2018

Page design by: Rosemarie Born

Southern Hancock
Taking steps to be “If a kid feels like they are
proactive legitimately in crisis they
Ellie Harris
Editor in chief
ting adequate rest. These techniques
do not cure medical diagnoses, but
they can help reduce the stress that
should come down here or
wherever they typically would
is often the root of more serious
As conversations surrounding mental health issues.
mental health become more and The most popular solution to se-
more pervasive, the tone has shifted rious crises are suicide hotline num-

go and we can handle the rest

from crisis control to prevention. bers or information for counseling.
Many students are not in a However, though suicide hotlines
severe enough state to be medically and counseling can be helpful, they
diagnosed, but are distressed to a don’t take effect until a person dials

afterwards.” - NPHS Principal

point that disrupts their schoolwork the number or schedules a meeting.
or home life. If left untreated, this At school, self-care can be espe-
more acute stress could escalate to a cially difficult, and if a student is in
dire crisis. a crisis - depending on a teacher’s

As a result, much of the focus of
mental wellbeing is on the idea of
self-care.
Self care can take a variety of
forms, from planning ahead to avoid
stress, improving nutrition and get-
Keith Fessler
rules - they have limited options. No
matter what situation a student is in,
it’s hard to abruptly leave class and
even harder to make up missed class
time.

“Any time I feel a

student is stressed or
depressed, I’ll let the
guidance department
know of the situation,”
NPHS counselor
Trent Whitaker
Remedy Live convocation. Photo by Jake Kelle / Crimson Messenger

Teachers work to support students in need

about their students and are always there for you know nobody will listen,” Smith said.
Catrina Lambert them, no matter what the issues. They want to While some students are hesitant to talk to
Opinion editor see their students succeed no matter what. teachers due to confidentiality concerns, they

Teachers are not blind to the issues students

experience, although that doesn’t mean they
know exactly why there is a problem.
“Unfortunately, I believe (the prevalence of
mental health) problems is rising...Im not sure
why though. I think the core of family values
and support are the main reasons,” study hall
teacher Sandi Whitaker said.
“Student stress is real and noticeable. Some
have the stress to get a 4.0 and worry about ev-
ery test and quiz. Some feel the stress to make
friends and ‘fit in.’ It’s really difficult and social
media - where most of our students are and
where we all present the most perfect picture
of ourselves - has made it worse. We have to be
allowed to feel vulnerable and fail, and instead,
we try to measure up to an ideal that’s impossi-
ble,” teacher Andrew Smith said.
Overall, though, teachers care deeply
“I let every student know I’m approachable
and will help guide them to answers. Any time
I feel a student is stressed or depressed, I’ll let
the guidance department know of the situa-
tion,” Whitaker said.
However, teachers are neither trained nor
equipped to deal with serious mental health
issues. There is a limit to what they can do to
help, try as they might.
“Most teachers are not necessarily trained
to deal with mental health issues, but we have
some training to see the warning signs and
refer students to a counselor or a professional.
The most important thing is being there to
lend an ear. A student - or even an adult - who
is dealing with depression or anxiety often
just needs someone to talk with, and a quick
30-second chat about someone’s day can help.
What makes depression and anxiety worse is
the fear that you have nobody to talk to because
should keep in mind that teachers have a legal
obligation to report concerning behavior, but
“Student
its because they care about student safety, not
because they’re trying to be difficult.
“If students let a teacher or staff member
safety is our
know about any abuse or illegal activity, we are
legally required to report that. Student safety is number one
our number one priority,” Smith said.
Teachers want students to know that they
don’t need to feel alone while the teachers are
priority”
there for them.
“We are here to help...no reason to continue
to feel bad or stressed… let someone know, so
- Andrew
we can help and offer advice,” Whitaker said.
“Just be comfortable. Understand that your Smith
teachers care and be willing to talk about your
day, what makes you tick, what makes you hap-
py and your fears and anxieties. You’re likely to
find a sympathetic ear,” Smith said.