by Madeline Owenby

Following the tragedy that has recently occurred, I would like to offer respect and condolences to all the victims and everyone who was hurt. I have some potential implementations I’d like to suggest for assistance. Someone who I love very much knows one of the victims and attends Reynolds. Additionally, I myself am involved with the Reynolds community – I grew up here and went to Reynolds Middle, representing the Reynolds team in sixth and seventh grade soccer. Furthermore, I have many friends and coworkers who attend the high school, thus, I care deeply about this subject. 

Someone who I love very much knows one of the victims and attends Reynolds.

Now, more than ever before in society, a very significant number of teens are facing mental health struggles. (Ubelacker 2012). It seems as though even when teenagers are offered free support, they are reluctant to reach out. However it is crucial that they do so because “[they] need safe spaces to talk about their mental health concerns.” (Colella Et al., 2022). The mental health crisis among teens has been ongoing for a couple decades now, and following the COVID-19 pandemic, and in light of recent events, it is more important than ever before to help teens. 

To combat this societal issue, I offer some suggestions based on research I’ve conducted in regards to the subject. Firstly: you must retrain your employees and counselors and teachers to recognize when a student is struggling. For teenagers, studies show that “Avoiding friends or social contact with others” and “aggressive or antisocial behavior” is one of the biggest indicators of teens struggling with mental health. (Bundaberg 2017). Symptoms: 

ProQuestDocuments-2023-03-30. (ANON 2008). Recognize these symptoms. It’s obvious in school when a student begins to isolate: they eat away from where they usually eat, stop walking in the halls with their friends, and don’t participate in team building activities as much. Recognize and offer support and let them know you’re there for them.

Firstly: you must retrain your employees and counselors and teachers to recognize when a student is struggling.

Secondly, implement some sort of team that can be 100% confidential. This means that students with abusive parents can feel safe talking about their issues without fear of being told on. This is one of the biggest factors in why teens are afraid to discuss their feelings – in many cases if they say something too far they are at risk of being physically hurt. Amongst other things. Instead offer a separate place for students to go to that is 100% confidential. No interference to parents. I recommend gathering volunteers that can just sit in a pleasant environment with a teenager and listen to them vent, completely private. Sometimes that’s all they need. This person should not try to fix all their problems, but rather be able to empathize with students and let them know they are heard and important. 

The mental health situation amongst teens is a horrible crisis right now, and they’re a huge part of our community – they are the future of tomorrow and it is our responsibility to help them. To reiterate: my suggestions are to reteach teachers to recognize students struggling. All teachers must be able to recognize all their students’ needs. All students should have the opportunity to seek confidential support. A safe place where there’s no fear of having authorities, officials, or parents involved could save a teenagers life. 

The mental health situation amongst teens is a horrible crisis right now, and they’re a huge part of our community – they are the future of tomorrow and it is our responsibility to help them.

Once again, deepest condolences to the victims and their families and friends, and everyone who’s affected by this tragedy. My family and I are a part of the Reynolds community, and it personally affected me deeply to see this happen. I would love to try and be part of the solution alongside the community so that this never happens again.

References

ANON. Adolescent Stress: Checking up on your teen’s mental health. (2008, Aug 06). Extra. http://adolescent-stress/. Accessed March 6th, 2023.  

Bundaberg, Q. Can you spot signs of a teen mental health concern?: PARENT PICKLES Teen mental health. (2017, Nov 28). News Mail Bundaberg. http://wncln.org/can-you-spot-signs-teen-mental-health-concern/. Accessed March 6th, 2023.

Colella, N., Doughtery, B., Hicks, J., Malik, M., & Singh, A. (2022, May 14). We asked teens about their mental health: Teen mental health is suffering. What’s being done? Daily Journal. http://wncln/teens-about-their-mental-health. Accessed March 6th, 2023.

Hart LM, Cropper P, Morgan AJ, Kelly CM, Jorm AF. (2020, May 4). Teen Mental Health First Aid as a school-based intervention for improving peer support of adolescents at risk of suicide: Outcomes from a cluster randomised crossover trial. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry; 54(4):382-392. doi:10.1177/0004867419885450. https://journals.sagepub.com/share. Accessed April 10th, 2023. 

Ubelacker, S. (2012, Feb 15). Relationships at home, school, with peers key to teens’ mental health: study: Relationships key to teen mental health: study. The Canadian Press http://relationships-at-home-school-with-peers-key-teens. Accessed March 6th, 2023.

created for LANG 120 with Kristin Shepard