Self-destructive thoughts lead to violent ends, but you can make peace with your mind. Your psychological well-being should not be entrapping you in your own poignant thoughts. But just one bodiless idea can cause a ripple effect on your state of bliss. And maybe even lead you to ruin others’ content minds and possibly hurt them physically.

To prevent such matters we, the people, should start advocating regularly scheduled mental health check ups. Additionally, schools and students should be provided with the appropriate counseling programs that they can turn to in the midst of a crisis.

A PVHS freshman, who was interviewed for this article but declined to give their name, believes the thoughts of our mentally troubled peers affect the way they think about their classmates and environment, “making them feel irritated, frustrated, exhausted, and apathetic of others. Which brings them to blaming them and their peers, and making them think they deserve to suffer just like they do.”

Instead of fearing that those with mental illnesses will one day succumb to their symptoms, we should be getting more help available for them. We should not keep brushing the topic under the rug as the headlines go by. We should acknowledge that 1 in every 5 kids shows signs of mental illness and not every counselor can handle that many students. We have close to 3,000 students at Pioneer Valley; that would mean nearly 600 students battle with a mental health issue who need help. And if you are one of the many who are in need of someone to listen, never be afraid of seeking treatment or guidance in a school counselor, or even just a friend.

“Having a mental illness makes life just more difficult to live. And no one wants to live a more difficult life.” -Lizzie Valencia (9)

Going through a mental illness is not a life sentence though. You can get better with things such as therapy, counseling and medication. If you know someone with a mental illness and they suffer through a crisis, always remember to not blame them. Showing anger towards them or shouting at them will only worsen their situation; instead sit them down, minimize distractions and create a comforting atmosphere, do not engage in physical contact suddenly and ask for permission before doing so; make eye contact with them, but not for long periods of time, and get them away from big groups of people because all the attention will only make them feel more anxious says Brigitte Boulard, a student at the organization Friends For mental Health.

Dealing with an unhealthy mentality should not make you feel excluded from everyone. If you ever feel as though you aren’t happy with yourself, talk to someone about it. Whether it’s your guardian, friend, teacher, doctor, or counselor you seek for help, you should not feel as though you are a burden upon yourself.