New support offered on campus to those battling mental health issues

Written by Alberto Gomez, Entertainment Editor

Twenty percent. Twenty out of 100 does not stand out as a big number. That’s how many Americans cannot identify the U.S. on a map, think the sun revolves around the Earth, and  admit to peeing in the pool. That’s also how many Americans suffer from a a mental illness.

The Federal Fiscal Year 2019 Budget will cut 21 percent of the Department of Health and Human Services’ funding. As the years go on, more and more Americans seem to quietly trudge through these crippling illnesses with no help. In 2017 alone, over 47,000 Americans chose to go quietly into the night. In 2013, the number was 41,149, according to mentalhealthamerica.net

However, Indian Trail High School & Academy has taken a bold step to help combat mental illness. Anna Benton joined the Indian Trail faculty this year as the school psychologist. Benton arrived in hopes of meeting with IT’s mentally ill, from those suffering anxiety, to those fighting familial crises, to students and faculty struggling with depression.

“There’re 2,400 people here… as long as a student has someone to connect with, that’s probably the most important,” Benton said.

Benton came to the conclusion that many of students’ woes stem from a plethora of harmful roots, but the worst comes from social media. From her perspective, students’ seeming dependence on apps like Twitter and Instagram to validate their own social image to maintain a self-esteem stands as the most toxic activity. The handheld black mirrors teenagers grow obsessed with drain their overall social skills, she said.

In a 2013 study, the University of Michigan discovered that “the more lonely people felt at one time point, the more people used Facebook over time,” offering only an escape from human connection.

Benton further elaborates that a major factor impacting mental health comes from the lack of support systems. Amongst many older Americans, receiving medical treatment for mental health clutches a negative stigma. At the same time, at-risk teens fear how the public may view their treatment. And so, many Americans do not seek help.

Medical Sciences Academy Junior, Alex Jensen, currently fights an uphill battle with anxiety and depression.

During his lowest points, Jensen described his illness as though “someone was sitting on [his] chest all the time.”

His mental health can make it difficult to connect with family, friends, and faculty. He did connect to a faculty member that made his days easier, but once she moved away, Jensen found his problems exacerbating.

Benton offers solace to those in desperate need. In room 2417, she patiently waits throughout the day for each and every student. Benton encourages students and staff suffering from mental health issues to pay her a visit during crises. Whether during or after school, Benton’s office door remains open. She makes it her job to assist students in any way she can.

Jensen currently visits Benton every Tuesday for a group therapy session offered each week after school. But for him, receiving help isn’t enough. Jensen describes the will to improve the only way to truly find a better self.

“You have to be willing for it to get better at all,” Jensen explains.

The screens teens hide behind double as towering walls barring communication about mental health. Benton wants only to provide a sanctuary for students and staff to help cope and treat their mental health. She hopes that by offering an open door policy, Indian Trail can normalize the discussion on mental health.