Lessons from our own during Mental Health Awareness Month
Each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, I am fortunate to have a bright and thoughtful student working alongside me to gain insight into the life of a Head of School through our internship program. Arianna has spent much of her Knox journey learning and evolving, and as she enters her senior year this September, I am reminded of just how far she has come. But like so many of us, her path hasn’t always been an easy one. Arianna is part of a sobering statistic: the latest research tells us that 1 in 5 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 will experience some type of mental health disorder each year, with anxiety and depression being the most common.
What makes Arianna’s story so powerful, however, is that her struggles have not defined her. Instead, they have become a source of strength and resilience. What’s even more inspiring is how these experiences have motivated her to give back to the Knox community that has been a source of support for her. Arianna drew on our Knox Core Values of Courage and Kindness, and founded a mental health awareness group that has met regularly for the past two years. This group provides students with a safe, judgment-free space to talk openly about their feelings and experiences with mental health.
The impact of Arianna’s initiative and leadership has been palpable in our small school community. As she and her peers continue to meet, set the example, and share messages of tolerance and hope, our students have become more aware of the stigmas surrounding mental health. The brave and honest conversations that happen in these meetings are helping to break down walls and create a more compassionate and understanding environment for everyone – which is so important in a small school community like ours.
At Knox, we are deeply rooted in the belief that compassion and community are transformative forces. By embracing our shared experiences, offering unwavering support, and nurturing the well-being of each individual, we empower our students not only to navigate the challenges of the world, but to flourish in spite of them.
These are their words.
Emma:
- “You never know what happens behind closed doors.”
- “You always have a choice.”
- “Don’t let other people’s ideals define you.”
- “Don’t live for other people, live for yourself. “
Julia:
- “Something that is too normalized in society is eating disorders. Many times I hear people say things like “all teenage girls have anorexia” which is not true. Eating disorders need to be taken more seriously.”
- “If you know something is happening and you do nothing, you are a part of the problem.” Arianna:
- “Something that is really important for students is not to equate your self-worth with your grades. You are so much more than any grade you receive and more people need to remember that.”
Adeaze:
- “Most people need to remember not to let the stressors of school get to you. Just chill to get that dollar bill!”
Sonia:
- Don’t bite more than you can chew, because you still need to swallow and digest.” Kshirin:
- “Anxiety, I have it, it’s a tension in my bones. It’s a twinge in my heart. It’s a constant feeling of worry and overthinking, a torment that I never really escape from and that never truly subsides. But something that relinquishes the pain even in the slightest of ways is that I know I don’t go through this alone, many people feel pain in different ways in their bodies, there is no being alone, you have support, you have people.
I beg people to remember such a thing.”
