Student Life

Students’ mental heath matters more now than ever

By: Camilla Moran, Editor • January 7, 2026

Seasonal Affective Disorder affects 5% of the U.S. population. It is primarily triggered by reduced sunlight exposure in fall/winter, disrupting circadian rhythms and lowering serotonin/vitamin D levels.

In today’s world, mental health among students has become more important than ever.

According to a study done in 2023 by the CDC, 4 in 10 students had persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or anxiety. 2 in 10 students had either attempted or had thoughts of committing suicide. These alarming statistics show the need for more mental health support in schools.

Student mental health

The growing concern with mental health among students

The rise in anxiety and depression has come to light due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social media, academic stress and loneliness.

These problems have had a lasting impact on both students and their families. These issues have led to increased stress, difficult relationships, caregiver burnout and more.

Mental well-being after Covid-19

Quarantine during the Covid-19 pandemic left students feeling alone and isolated from the world. There was an increased rate of depression and anxiety.

This resulted in issues such as poor focus and motivation when it came to online learning. Students had disrupted schedules and a lot of academic stress, which resulted in lasting mental health issues.

Teachers saw the impacts of Covid-19 in their students as well. " After Covid-19, there was a lack in development and coping skills." Said Nicholas Santangelo, a guidance counselor at Colonia High School.

The link between social media and mental well-being

There is also a strong link between mental health and social media. The benefits include communication and some support for students. Although there are a few positives to social media, the effect of social media can have a lasting impact on a student's mental well-being.

"Because there is so much being posted, and I think that people compare themselves too much. Whether that's their physical appearance or as simple as FOMO, the idea that everything needs to be perfect is pushed way too far into our lives." Said Sophia Vitale, a student at Colonia High School.

The impacts on students' mental health that social media causes include increased rates of depression, anxiety, body image issues, cyberbullying, and sleep issues.

How friendships affect students' mental health

According to Newsport Academy, teens' friendships are linked with mental well-being in adulthood.

Friendships can have a lasting impact. Friends are very important in human connection and are crucial for human well-being. The type of connection friends have also plays a large role in well-being.

Supportive friends can act as a buffer for stress. Friendships help to cope with daily issues. These stressors can include tests and help to reduce sadness. Friends also help boost one's self-worth, identity and have long-term benefits.

Although there are many positive benefits, there are also many negatives to friends. These include toxic friendships and peer pressure.

"When you have a toxic friendship, it really hamstrings your ability to adapt to struggles. So, you have a situation where you're not able to problem-solve in a healthy way because the people that are there to support you and offer sound advice are actively trying to harm you, or not doing what they can to support you," said Santangelo.

Strong friendships are important for student development, while unhealthy friendships can cause psychological issues.

The academic pressure on students

Furthermore, the academic environment also plays a crucial role in mental health. According to The Plaid Press, the pressure of maintaining a high GPA constantly weighs on a student's shoulders.

"I think that we hold ourselves to very high standards and when we don’t reach them, it can be very destructive because some people are overly critical of themselves and they begin to feel like they’re not doing enough. I think that people need to realize that grades are not defining and you can still be successful regardless of how school is going in the current moment," said Vitale.

As a result of this stress, students may rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as excessive use of social media, self-harm, or even substance abuse.

The stigma around mental health

Stigma around mental health stems from a lack of education on the topic, misrepresentation in the media, historical beliefs such as demonic possession, and the labels that teens with mental health issues are dangerous or weak.

"I think the most stigmatized thing about mental health is the term mental illness. Anybody with any is all encompassing of the worst possible thing is not the case." Said [name]

By giving a space to prioritize mental health, students can develop healthier coping strategies. Activities like meditation and yoga can help students have an outlet for their emotions. Moreover, including mental health in the health class curriculum can help to break the stigma by having open conversations with students.

Parents and siblings of students with psychological issues can have intense emotions when mental health is in the family. Although the teens don't try to cause other family members to have stress about the situation, psychological issues can run in a family for generations. Family members may constantly worry if the student is ok and family members experience the same conditions as the teens.

How to have open conversations with students about mental well-being

It is crucial to have open conversations with teens if parents feel like they are struggling. According to UNICEF, there are many different ways to go about it.

"I would recommend a [parent looking to have a conversation with their teen to listen and come from a place of compassion and love and understand that when someone it's not a reflection on you, it's their own personal journey." Said [name]

The most important thing parents can do is listen to their teen. This helps to create a safe space to talk about something personal without judgment.

If there is suspicion of a teen self-harming, parents should first approach the conversation with care. If the teen does not want to talk about it, don’t force them to talk about it.

Instead, the parent should let the teen know that they are there when they want to talk about it.

Resources available for students and families

There are many resources for students and families. Some resources include school counseling, outpatient therapy and crisis hotlines.

Schools often offer counseling with counselors, social workers and school psychologists helping students cope with mental health issues. They can also provide students with mental health issues with 504 plans.

Families can also seek therapy or visit mental health clinics that specialize in treating children and adolescents. There are also crisis hotlines that teens can call or message at any time of the day.

All in all, by highlighting the mental health issues within teens and teens, they can be supported by their families. By being supportive, teens can find healthy coping strategies and build stronger bonds.

With the right support, teens can feel heard and seen in difficult times.

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If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide or is in crisis, you can call, text, or use online chat to contact 988 24/7.

About the Contributor

Camilla Moran, Editor

Camilla Moran is a 17-year-old senior who attends Colonia High School. She is involved in several clubs, including Mini-thon, CHS Interact club, and CHS Declaration. Outside of school, she can be found watching Broadway musicals on film, writing, or baking. Moran also competes in adaptive sports for Children’s Specialized Hospital Lightning Wheels. The adaptive sports she competes in are Archery and Track and Field. She describes herself as kind, caring, and hardworking. After graduating, she aspires to become an elementary school teacher. She would also like to advocate for people with disabilities to improve their lives and help them achieve their dreams. A quote she lives by is “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”

The Declaration

The Declaration

The Declaration

Students’ mental heath matters more now than ever

If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide or is in crisis, you can call, text, or use online chat to contact 988 24/7.

The Declaration

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