Buena Parks Mental Health and Wellness 

       Have you dealt with mental health? Do you know someone who is dealing with mental Health at the moment? Some people may say students dealing with mental health are “crazy” or “ They do it for attention”.  I say they are normal teenagers having difficulty showing their emotions or understanding why they feel the way they do. It’s okay not to feel okay,  It’s okay to feel like it’s the end of the world, but it’s not okay to give up and not try to make things better.  Here at Buena Park High School, we offer the Coyote Corner. A quiet place where students can talk to a counselor or just sit there in silence when they need to. Did you know 1 in 10 students struggle with mental health disorders? At Buena Park High School counselors and teachers try to make young adults feel welcomed and heard.  I asked our mental Health Specialist Jessie Nova, If he liked working with high school students and being able to get them out of their comfort zone. “I feel like it’s my passion working with students and making sure that they are able to grow,” he said. “One way we are able to grow is by feeling uncomfortable”.  Not only does Mr. Nova try to help his students but he also wants to see them grow and become better people for themselves. Teachers here at Buena Park want to protect their students and help them whenever they feel down. Teachers are also a big help to students who don’t feel comfortable talking to counselors but feel comfortable talking to a teacher.  Sometimes teachers are more than a teacher. 

 Number  of students dealing with mental health issues in high school. 

          Coming from experience, mental health sucks. I wouldn’t even wish the feelings to my worst enemy. It’s draining and very stressful. Not only did I feel judged but I felt like I couldn’t really talk to anyone.  “With youth especially I feel like this is very prevalent in society where a lot of expectations are being seen and with social media, everything youth is exposed to I feel like there is a lot of stress that falls on teens”. Mrs. Aboytes, a counselor intern said.  These counselors want to make our students understand themselves. They not only want to make our students feel safe but they are there to listen and help students become better people for themselves. 

        Do you know what the main causes of mental health in teenagers are? I asked  some students what  they thought  the main cause of teens’ mental health issues are . A Junior, Erica Mejia said “I think the main cause of mental health is school. School can be draining and some parents just don’t understand that. I feel like kids wish they could talk to someone without feeling  judged for what they  go through”.  Another Junior, Andrea Ramos said “Ever since I have been in high school I feel like how you look and how you dress are a big part of it.  I do feel like that may cause mental health because not many students have nice clothing. They might feel like they don’t fit in because of how they dress and look. So in my opinion that can cause mental health issues”.  Therefore, Whenever you feel like someone is feeling upset,  even if you don’t know them it’s okay to ask if they’re okay.  Let them know they are cared for, make sure they know you are there for them because you never know what people are going through at home, school, etc….  There is no perfect solution for this complicated mental health problem. For all we know not every teen dealing with mental health makes it out. It takes time to heal and feel better. Believe in yourself because we here at BP believe in you.