Being a high school student can be very stressful. The pressures of school, work, sports, family, relationships, and more can cause students to experience a multitude of different mental health issues.
Many Lafayette students are unaware of any mental health resources; only three out of ten students interviewed said they knew of any around the school. Students need to know where to go if they need support, mainly because Lafayette offers many opportunities and resources for this problem. Plenty of mental health resources around our school, including the 606 hallway, counselors, and online tools.
The 606 hallway is located to the right of the music hallway. It’s available for anyone if the day becomes stressful or overwhelming or even if you just need some support. However, to speak to a therapist at school, you must obtain permission from your guardian beforehand, as per Senate Bill 150. There are many signs around the school directing to this hallway and posters around the school with QR codes to fill out the digital form,also found on the school website, to visit these counselors during the school day.
Lafayette’s guidance counselors are near the front office and can also help with many student issues, including mental health, scheduling, and more. These counselors are assigned by grade and last name. The guidance counselors provide help by talking to students individually. They help students relate to others, intervene with potential dropouts, and help with school, future, and personal plans.
Another resource students can use to improve their mental health without having to approach anyone face to face is the mental health library located under students on the LHS website. This library contains content to help students who are anxious, depressed, or struggling in other ways. This help can be found in books and content on how they can help themselves or be helped. The Lafayette mental health support page, which can also be found on the Lafayette High School website, has multiple resources available. The home page lists mental health professionals, the school’s social worker, and the Youth Service Coordinator. The website also has different sections, including suicide prevention, crisis services, phone apps, and coping skills.
If a student is struggling with mental health due to a lack of needs such as food, clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, or otherwise, they may see the Youth Service Center. Located in the music hall, Room 116, this is a great resource for students who need extra support. The youth service center is meant to remove non-academic barriers that keep students from learning in the classroom. The youth service center provides food, hygiene products, and more. This is an amazing resource for students who cannot meet their physical needs.
Lafayette has many mental health resources, but many students still do not know about them. It is important to make these resources more visible and encourage students to use them more when necessary. These tools can help Lafayette students deal with the stress and challenges they face every day. Students should use the support available to build a healthier lifestyle for themselves and those around them.
