Have you or a friend experienced a time of stress during the school day and felt there was nothing to do about it? One in five teenagers experience mental health problems with depression and anxiety being the most common. Knowing how to cope is important because everyone deals with stress, anxiety, or feelings of depression at some point and not dealing with it can create bigger problems.
Papio South has recently worked hard in raising awareness for mental health and creating a safe space for students to get support. I interviewed the school psychologist, Dan Innes, and he gladly answered many questions for students to understand how counselors can help them and where they can go for a mental break. Innes stated that counselors are “like first responders,” if a student has not met with a professional or a therapist about their struggles then school counselors tend to be the first person on the line to help them. They begin with talking with the student and evaluating the situation to better understand their side. From there they can guide them to cope with the parts that they can not control.
Although counselors are here to help, some students may not feel comfortable talking and simply need a space to take a break. Starting last year, the counseling office made a “chill space” where students can go to an enclosed area with comfy seats, puzzles, coloring, sensory toys, and quietness to reset and let them breathe. Innes says the chill space has definitely shown an improvement in students and sets the rest of their day up with success.
Lastly, I asked him to give one piece of advice for anyone going through a hard time and his statement left a mark,
“Understand that everything in life is temporary and everything is changing. Whatever you are going through, life changes and you will get through it no matter what.” He hopes his words can leave at least one person with hope to get through the hard times.
