While it may not always be talked about, mental illness is an issue in today’s society. According to a study done by NAMI, one in six youth experience mental illness every year. Along with that, anxiety disorders are the most common illness experienced in the US, affecting 19% of the adult population per year.

In fact, 51% of youth affected with mental illness do not receive treatment. One big factor in people not reaching out is the stigma around mental illness. According to psychiatry.org, stigmatizing public opinion can include believing people with mental illness are dangerous or unapproachable.

Stigmatization from the people surrounding someone with a mental illness can affect the way a person struggling with mental health may think about themself. It can lead to self-stigmatizing, which can manifest in negative thoughts about oneself and social isolation.

Zara Agustin-Jardon, a junior at Arrowhead, has dealt with her own mental illness. “Mental health is never ending,” she says. “It’s a daily struggle. When I get depressed, it’s really hard to do simple tasks, including homework.”

Mental illness is something many people deal with around the clock, including at school.

“In freshman year, I had really bad anxiety about specifically being stabbed in my back, I don’t know why. This year, my anxiety is about having a good GPA so that I can get into a good college,” says Zara.

This feeling can be a result of anxiety, and according to Evolve Treatment, 31.9% of teens experience some type of anxiety in high school. 

Hotlines, text lines, and websites are available for people with mental illness, or even those who would like to learn more about it.

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline: 1-800-622-4357

Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741

Other resources can be found here.