Mental health has become a growing focus in schools across the country and our own campus has started really focusing on it. Through interviews, features, and wellness-centered stories, Dons Press has made it a priority to promote awareness and encourage open conversations.
But, as we continue to write about mental health, it raises an important question: do we truly understand what mental health means? Let’s take a deeper look on not just how we cover mental health but at what it really is, how it affects students daily, and how more can be done to support each other beyond the headlines.
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the term “mental health”? Oftentimes people only think of anxiety or depression, but it is so much more than that.
Mental health includes how we manage stress, build relationships, make decisions, and cope with daily challenges. Mental health affects how we feel, think, and act. Mental health shapes everything from motivation, performance, and personality. It’s not just feeling “okay” it’s about being able to function and feel supported even when life gets overwhelming.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 teens ages 13–18 experience a mental health condition each year, and nearly 50% of those conditions begin by age 14. These numbers show that mental health challenges are not rare, they’re something many students are quietly navigating every day.
At Dons Press, we try to make a clear effort to highlight all things mental health weekly. We have articles providing stress relief tips, coverage on different wellness trends, and interviews with counselors and peers. We write about academic mental health challenges, the mind of a student athlete, signs of burnout and so much more. The intention behind each of these articles is to create a space where students are seen and heard.
CCHS counselor Mr. Stanislaus explained, “We know our friends. You notice when something has changed.” He emphasized that changes in mood, appearance, or behavior can often signal when someone is struggling. “Sometimes folks just want to change their hair color, and that’s totally fine, but sometimes, it could mean something more.” It’s in these moments that paying attention, having trusting relationships, and simply checking in can make all the difference.
After interviewing a few students regarding their mental health, some opened about their feelings like they have to hide their struggles in order to be perceived as strong, others admitted they didn’t even realize they were dealing with major stressors until it was affecting their sleep or academics.
An anonymous student shared, “It’s tough to explain what goes on in your head when everyone around you seems just fine.”
This is a constant battle. Mental health serves as a mask sometimes and those around you truly don’t know the voices that are in our heads
Mental health isn’t just a trend, topic or something to write about, it’s part of who we are. If we want to promote understanding, not just awareness, we have to keep learning, keep listening, and keep the conversation going to truly uncover the meaning behind mental health.
