So many students go through mental health struggles in silence. For me and others I’ve met, it feels like a deep hole you cannot escape. Ever since I was little, I got bullied, which ruined my self-esteem. I struggled with going to school and focusing on assignments. In the winter of junior year, my depression hit me the hardest it ever has, and I ended up not attending school for two months while I received treatment for what I was feeling. I felt so alone, like no one understood how I felt, until I realized something important: there are so many teens like me struggling in silence.
During these two months, I learned coping skills, how to find peace with myself, and how to deal with the dark cloud above me. One of the main coping skills I used was called TIPP (Temperature, Intense exercise, Paced breathing, and Progressive muscle relaxation). TIPP was one of my favorites because I could still play lacrosse. It’s a sport I love. Even while participating in games, I could use multiple coping techniques which helped me when I was stressed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “42% of teens experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The American Psychological Association documented that 22% of teens have seriously considered attempting suicide. And there are so many more that are unaccounted for. This is a worldwide issue that needs to be talked about more.
Many people assume going to therapy will fix everything but in reality, that’s not the case. It takes years of hard work and sometimes even medication for some to feel slightly better. Eliminating this stigma around mental health would help others see the true side of depression and other mental health struggles.
According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), “approximately 30% of student athletes experience mental health issues.” Meaning nearly a little bit over a quarter of student-athletes struggle many of whom probably do in silence. You are more than just a student. You are more than just an athlete. And we need more resources available for all.
For the 2025-2026 school year, I have decided to start a chapter of Morgan’s Message, a student-led organization founded in memory of Morgan Rodgers, a Duke lacrosse player who died by suicide. Morgan’s Message is a 501(c)(3) that “strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics.”
Bringing this club to Watkins Mill is a huge goal for me because I know there are others like me, others who feel alone and feel helpless. We will have monthly meetings to bring awareness to others, to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone.
Help us spread the awareness for mental health awareness, and if you or anyone you know is struggling, reach out to a trusted adult or call or text 988. You are not alone.
