The Mental Health Support Teens Really Need at School

It feels like everyone I know is anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed. And it’s not just in our heads: the data backs it up. According to the CDC, nearly 42% of high school students report feeling persistently sad or hopeless. That’s almost half of us. The pandemic definitely made things worse, but mental health challenges have been building for a long time.

Schools aren’t always equipped to help. Some don’t have licensed counselors. Others treat mental health days like lazy days. And too often, students—especially teens of color or LGBTQ+ youth—feel like they have to keep it all in. But mental health isn’t a personal flaw. It’s just health, and it should be treated that way.

We need more open conversations, more resources, and more compassion. Teens shouldn’t have to hit rock bottom before anyone takes their feelings seriously. We deserve spaces to breathe, to talk, and to heal without judgment. And that starts with listening, learning, and pushing for change in our communities.