Spring Valley high school sophomore Alisa Haber is living in a world where she feels that there are only two things students feel they have to prioritize: school and their mental health. Two things that probably shouldn’t be prioritized together. 

It has been shown that the pressure to do well in school has increased stress and anxiety levels in students. Alisa feels that she is a person that can help bring awareness to this issue.

“Yes school plays a super important role in a students mental health, to the point where it can dominate all other things,” Haber said

According to Mental Health America, depression in youth increased from 5.9 percent in 2012 to 8.2 percent in 2015.

“In order for students to feel less stressed at school, the school should involve them more,” Haber said. “I feel like clubs aren’t enough to destress or make school a happier place, so maybe events and assemblies,” Alisa said.

According to Spring Valley’s sophomore counselor, Molly Teal, school is a place where students can experience anxiety, stress, and conflict. Whether or not they are handling the stresses brought on by rigorous classes or course loads, being able to manage time effectively, and having effective study skills can either affect students positively or negatively.

“The important thing is communication. Parents/guardians are not mind readers, and are wanting to support their children, but just do not know how, or what is needed. If their students can open up to them about how they are feeling and what support they need, then parents/guardians can better work to provide that support,” Teal said.

The pressure to do well in school can also lead to poorer physical, social and emotional health. The feeling of pressure can come from parents, school, teachers, or themselves.

“A student can’t control their mental health all of the time, so I think that the most important thing a parent can understand is that it is most likely not the students fault,” Haber said.

“ Regarding myself, yeah, school has impacted my mental health to the point where I think about it outside of school and on the weekends,” Haber said.