Statistics related to mental illness are nothing short of startling. Mental illness affects approximately one in every five teens in today’s world. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 24. Some 25 percent of teen girls and 10 percent of teen boys harm themselves, and 50 percent of teens with a mental illness drop out of high school. Startling statistics but also a hard reality for adolescents who are suffering in our midst. 

North Atlanta is a school of more than 2,100 students — the largest school in the district — so it would stand to reason that there are those in the building who are struggling with this issue. North Atlanta does have services available to these students but the question is this: are they adequate? And does Atlanta Public Schools even have the ability to accurately track who exactly is suffering? 

Class of 2022 counselor Dee Williams cares deeply for her students and wants them to succeed in their academic, social and emotional lives. Williams believes that the key to this success stems from mental stability and a healthy state of mind. When a student does not have this stability, she says, there is a cry for help. “They just need someone to talk to and I’m that person,” she said. “It starts with a conversation and sometimes outside resources are utilized to get that student the help they need.”

Williams also had some positive things to say about North Atlanta’s “Safe Space” program. It is used when a student is feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, or just overwhelmed at school. He or she uses a special pass that they have obtained from the counselor. This pass is known by teachers and has the student’s name and three designated safe spaces on it. The student tells the teacher where they will be and the teacher gives the okay, no questions asked. A safe space can be a trusted teacher’s classroom, the library, or the gym. Any place that has an adult present can be designated as a safe space. Williams believes that this program, along with outside support, is able to help a student significantly during a time of crisis.

Sophomore Andy Weeks is no stranger when it comes to the struggles of mental illness. Weeks has been diagnosed with multiple mental disorders including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. He has utilized North Atlanta’s resources along with outside services to get the help he needs. Weeks believes that the school does a satisfactory job in providing aid to students, but that there is room for improvement. “They are helping to an extent, but they really could do better,” he said. “I think they’re trying to do their best to help us but just not quite hitting the mark.” 

Weeks also feels that North Atlanta doesn’t do enough to destigmatize mental illness. He believes that the school focuses on the “quiet and emo kids” and not on the student body as a whole. He is quick to note that during mental health week, the school pays much attention to these students and not much attention to anyone else. He believes that the school is placing labels on those with mental illness because of their outward appearance, when really it’s about what is happening on the inside. “They generalize mental illness as something that the sad or emo or weird kids struggle with. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate and it doesn’t care who you are. I think the school should consider this and act accordingly,” Weeks said.

AP World History teacher Caitlin Tripp, this year’s “Teacher of the Year,” is known as a stellar educator. She’s also known to her students as a trusted friend and confidant. Tripp is always there for her students and she made this clear to them on their first day of class. Tripp devoted half a page of her syllabus to the importance of her students’ mental health and well being. Being an AP teacher, she is aware of the heavy workload that students take on and knows that this heavy workload coupled with social tensions and family life can take a toll on one’s mental health. On her syllabus, she lists three contacts for outside help and offers her support to her students. “Your mental health as a student is one of the most important things you have,” she said. “Your physical health and your mental health are really really important, and those are two areas that tend to get neglected in high school.” 

Tripp also encourages other teachers to follow in her footsteps by saying something to their students about the importance of their mental health, whether it be through a syllabus or through moral support. However, she doesn’t go as far as to say that it should be a mandatory policy, reasoning that it would not be a meaningful gesture. “I put this topic on my syllabus because I care,” she said. “If it was a mandatory policy, it would not be as sincere. I think students would value it more because you put it there completely voluntarily and you put it there genuinely.”

Although students and staff have different opinions on the effectiveness of North Atlanta’s mental health resources, one thing is clear: the Warriors care. The counselors care, the teachers care, and other students care about the well being of their peers. There is no disputing this. Warriors care for Warriors. Mental illness affects us all whether we know it or not, and we must work together as one to help each other in times of crisis.

Resources for Help:

Crisis Textline: text HOME to 741741 to be connected to a counselor

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 1 (800)-273-8755 if you have thoughts of suicide