Every year, people struggle with mental illnesses, but seeking help could bring immense change. According to the National Institute of Health, more than 50 million Americans struggle with mental illness. Sometimes taking small breaks throughout the day is necessary. Other times they can be stressed about something, like they could have presentations, tests, etc. They could have a lot on their mind at that moment. Even if it’s a small thing, taking breaks can help you get a break from what’s going on around you. Not only can taking breaks be helpful, but also doing your hobbies. For example, painting, going for a walk, or playing video games are all hobbies that can help your mental health. Activities that you find enjoyable can be beneficial too. Teacher Sharbach, a PEAC/English teacher explains “You can get A’s in all of your classes, make all of your money, and be in your million dollar home, but what good is any of that if your mental health is poor.”

     According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Seeing a doctor or a primary care physician can help you long term and support you throughout the way”. Even if people don’t want to talk about their mental health with their doctors, they can always practice self care and develop coping skills and add that to their everyday life. Overtime, people will start to see the difference and that person will become somebody who gets looked up to since they have made big steps to become a better person.

     In a mental health survey at Fallon, 8.3% of Fallon said that they have seeked help for a mental health issue and 91.7% of the people said that they haven’t. Not seeking help could cause that person to be isolated and make them introverted. When you are struggling with a problem, seeking help from a trusted adult/guardian would be the best option. It’s okay to not be okay. According to “Medlineplus”, a website about health information says,  “…having mental disorders can lead to diabetes or heart diseases.” If one has mental health issues from an early age, the best option would be to deal with it earlier than later. This would allow one to have a longer lifespan and allow one to discover a better version of oneself. Doing things that are better for your mental health can benefit you in many ways. Not only does this affect you in a good way, but it could also affect other people. When you bring a change to yourself, it helps you and others. Surrounding yourself with people who support you could make a big difference to you and make you feel good about yourself. If you are struggling with your mental health, try to change that. Plus, who knows, you could shine a light on someone who’s having a bad day.