the pack The Student Voice of Monarch High School
Breaking the Ice
A guide to navigating mental health 329 Campus Dr.│Louisville, Colorado│ 80027 Volume 21 Issue 3 November 2018
Flipping the Iceberg
How mental health can affect a person’s life By Sebastian Manzanares You have a test in math class. A fellow student is complaining from across the
of sadness for more than six
unless it’s completely perfect,”
months,” Van Steenburg said.
she said. Anxiety occasionally
not remember their actions
causes her to skip classes, too.
when they go through a cycle,
People who have depression
he said. Both bipolar disorders
Social worker Mr. Mike
It is possible for a person to
room about how stressed
Davidoff helps special
they are and how close they
education students who are
tend to have difficulties
have psychotic components
are to, “like, a total mental
part of the IEP team and
relating to people who don’t.
involved.
breakdown.” Meanwhile, you
assesses their abilities. He also
are on the verge of a real one.
helps some students work to
Realistically, this math test will not severely impact anyone’s life. However, you
achieve their goals. He said
feel as though your entire
that many
future depends on doing well
people
on this test. You’re sweating.
suffering
You’re shaking. You’re
from mental
nauseous and dizzy.
illnesses
“Anxieties can be debilitating
won’t
to the point where you
openly share
can’t breathe. Your body
about them
can blackout as a defense
because it’s
mechanism to protect you,”
a personal
Mark Van Steenberg, the
matter.
director of clinical services at
Someone’s
an Addiction Treatment agency
life may
called Choice House, said.
seem
“People don’t tend to think
“
it’s as bad as it is or ‘You’re
I could be sad right now and still do my job and drive my car. Depression really starts to impede itself in your daily activities of life.” -Mark Van Steenberg, Director of Choice House
“You’ll be normal and functioning, and then, all of a
doing it for
sudden, you have psychosis.
attention,’ or
You’re hearing things. You
to get out of
become really paranoid,” Van
something,”
Steenberg said.
Padilla said.
Padilla has advice for those
According
who don’t have a mental illness
to Van
and want to help a friend who
Steenberg,
has one.
there are
“Just be more aware,” she
other
said. “Learn a little more about
serious
it, so that if someone does
illnesses
come to you with problems,
that
you have some knowledge of
teenagers
what they’re going through.”
experience,
Although life may seem dark
such as
now, it doesn’t mean that it
bipolar
will remain this way forever.
“flawless” in the eyes of others,
disorders. These can cause a
have anxiety. There is an entire
but they may potentially be
person to cycle much more
this is my life right now, and
list of possible mental illnesses
hiding their authentic feelings.
frequently and with many
I don’t know any other way
more emotions.
out,’” Van Steenberg said.
However, students don’t only
that teenagers deal with.
“People can be doing well
For example, everyone
in life, but they might not be
occasionally feels a sense of sorrow. It is a normal emotion
showing it,” Davidoff said. Leandra Padilla ‘21, suffers
“With Bipolar 1, you have
school, you can change your
brain will turn off. Bipolar 2
social structure, where you go, how you go.
from both depression and
is when you have hypomania,
span of time. Despite this,
anxiety.
which lasts longer and the
after someone has a feeling
“With my anxiety, it makes me usually not turn in work
“Once you get out of high
mania, pressure, pacing. Your
and can go away over a “clinical depression comes
“A lot of it is based on, ‘Wow,
“So, I think a lot of kids see
severity goes up,” Van
high school as a grand finale.
Steenberg said.
And it’s not that,” he said.
Melting misconceptions
Avoid these words that are commonly interchanged What not to say... Instead use... “This test is so hard it’s giving me anxiety.”
“Sad”
“I’m so depressed. I didn’t get an invite to that party this weekend.”
“Moody”
“Are you bipolar or something? Make up your mind.”
“Stress”
“Counseling, especially if you don’t want to talk to your family, is a really good thing to do. I do recommend getting a therapist because they can help a lot more than a counselor can. It’s not for everyone, but it’s good to at least try. A psychiatrist is great to have for getting medicine.” -Leandra Padilla ’21
Need help? 5 options for people who may be struggling
1.)
School counselors are available and free to talk about any questions or concerns about mental health. You can find your counselor, organized by last names, or talk to the counselor on duty if it is urgent. Go to www.mohicounseling.com.
2.)
Talking or informing your parents or guardians about any symptoms of mental illnesses and/or any struggles you have is greatly encouraged.
3.)
If you or your parents feel professional help is needed, a therapist can help by providing emotional support as well as methods for handling mental illnesses.
HOTLINES
4.)
pain medicine. If recommended by another professional or by a trusted psychiatrist,
Colorado Crisis Services-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255
Eating disorder hotline- 844-228-2962 Depression hotline- 888-640-5174 Self Harm hotline- 877-455-0628
tor who specializes in physical medicine, rehabilitation, and
Suicide hotline- 1-800-273-8255
Addiction hotline- 877-226-3111
A psychiatrist is a medical doc-
medicines can help with your mental health.
5.)
The Monarch counseling department provides financial aid and support to students who need outside help and cannot afford it.