The Problem
One in five teenagers ages 13-18 are diagnosed with a serious mental health disorder (NAMI)¹, and evidence we have gathered from our own High School support this statistic. If you ask any high school student, chances are they have or know someone who has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. As the amount of adolescents suffering with mental illnesses increases exponentially, the awareness, acceptance, and resources for and of this issue remain insufficiently stagnant. Students are incredibly disappointed by the lack of acknowledgement from the administrators regarding illnesses that are taking their friends and classmates lives. With an overwhelming relationship between stress and mental health, it is no wonder these mental problems arise during American children's high school years. Student stress levels are at an all time high. For example, over 60% of Ridge High School students themselves have missed school due to extreme levels of stress (Trucco)².
In addition, 60% of Ridge students suffering reported that they do not feel comfortable going to their guidance counselor for help (Trucco)². We feel that there is a big problem regarding students lack of trust for their teachers or the administrators to help them with mental issues. Students feel alone, overwhelmed, and exhausted from trying to cope with school stress. They also feel that if they don't take all Advanced Placement classes, they'll fall behind their classmates and won't get into college. This is not only untrue, but it perpetuates a harmful mindset of chasing for an unrealistic standard of perfection that leads to low self esteem and an inability to keep up with schoolwork. With rising suicide rates, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and increases in mental illnesses in students, this problem is evidently serious. We have pushed this problem under the rug for too long and we are demanding for changes to be made.
The schools would serve as the government because majority of students spend most of their time at school rather than home awake with their parents. The school works in "loco parentis," which means that the school serves as the students' guardian as they are under the responsibility of the district. Implementing this change would come from the local school system because we feel that these solutions best suit our school. Furthermore, it would not make sense for the state level government to implement this program because it may not work for every district across the state. However, we definitely feel as though our program should serve as a pilot program and be used as a model for other schools across New Jersey.
“I wish I had a magic wand that could tell a student that everything is going to be okay. I mean their future. The biggest stressor is college, the unknown, and the future. I know students who went to basic schools, nothing in the top tier, and they are so happy and everything worked out for them. Whether you were in the AP or not, it isn’t going to matter in the long run. I want to ensure that students know that everything is going to be okay” (DeMarchi)³. -Mrs. VanDerStad, guidance counselor of 23 years
In addition, 60% of Ridge students suffering reported that they do not feel comfortable going to their guidance counselor for help (Trucco)². We feel that there is a big problem regarding students lack of trust for their teachers or the administrators to help them with mental issues. Students feel alone, overwhelmed, and exhausted from trying to cope with school stress. They also feel that if they don't take all Advanced Placement classes, they'll fall behind their classmates and won't get into college. This is not only untrue, but it perpetuates a harmful mindset of chasing for an unrealistic standard of perfection that leads to low self esteem and an inability to keep up with schoolwork. With rising suicide rates, unhealthy coping mechanisms, and increases in mental illnesses in students, this problem is evidently serious. We have pushed this problem under the rug for too long and we are demanding for changes to be made.
The schools would serve as the government because majority of students spend most of their time at school rather than home awake with their parents. The school works in "loco parentis," which means that the school serves as the students' guardian as they are under the responsibility of the district. Implementing this change would come from the local school system because we feel that these solutions best suit our school. Furthermore, it would not make sense for the state level government to implement this program because it may not work for every district across the state. However, we definitely feel as though our program should serve as a pilot program and be used as a model for other schools across New Jersey.
“I wish I had a magic wand that could tell a student that everything is going to be okay. I mean their future. The biggest stressor is college, the unknown, and the future. I know students who went to basic schools, nothing in the top tier, and they are so happy and everything worked out for them. Whether you were in the AP or not, it isn’t going to matter in the long run. I want to ensure that students know that everything is going to be okay” (DeMarchi)³. -Mrs. VanDerStad, guidance counselor of 23 years