Mental Health Awareness Week is a time to relax, take care of yourself, and spend quality time with those around you. With AP exams coming soon, SAT/ACT prep, and, of course, finals looming, Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder to take care of yourself, especially during hectic times.
“This is something that everyone is affected by, and it is important to create understanding and bring help to the people who suffer from poor mental health,” freshman Hailey Ziesemer said.
This week, from Monday, April 28, to May 1, Metea is hosting a variety of activities to allow students to indulge in some ‘me time’ amidst their busy schedules.
On April 28, students are encouraged to wear bright or neon colors and stickers for “Motivational Monday.” On April 29, the theme is “Time to Unwind Tuesday.” Students should wear either athletic or comfy clothes. They can also participate in a painting workshop, yoga, and visit the “calm room” in the collaboration center. For “Wellness Wednesday,” students can spin a self-care wheel and complete puzzles and coloring pages. Finally, to end the week, students are encouraged to wear their favorite band t-shirt, visit the therapy dogs, and participate in making friendship bracelets for “Turn It Up Thursday.”
Mental health is a topic that has been gaining momentum over the recent years. Despite the increase in awareness, mental health conditions are still often misunderstood and stigmatized in some social groups. Mental Health Awareness Week aims to promote open discussion and break down social barriers, encouraging people to seek support when needed, especially during exam season.
“[Mental Health Awareness Week] helps students feel less alone with their struggles and helps to reduce some stigma that comes with mental health,” junior Nora Davidson said.
The topic is especially relevant now because the end of the school year is when students often suffer from burnout, a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged academic stress and overwork. It often leads to a lack of interest and is created by having an excessive workload, unrealistic expectations, lack of sleep, and poor time management. Although reading the definition makes it seem like it doesn’t affect us, according to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, 27% of teens reported struggling with burnout. 27% of Metea’s student population equals at least 766 students who potentially suffer from burnout.
“Recently, I have felt pretty burnt out because of classes, the ACT, and AP exams,” Davidson said. “[I am] extra tired and much less focused in my classes.”
Upperclassmen aren’t the only ones feeling the effects of burnout.
“I have been affected by burnout just with tests, studying for APs, and just regular class work can be overwhelming, leading me to fall behind,” Ziesemer said.
As the end of the year approaches, it’s especially important to prioritize self-care. Active Minds recommends prioritizing sleep, eating balanced meals, exercising, creating a study system, and being kind to yourself overall as ways to stay mentally healthy during finals season. Although these activities might not work for everyone, it is still recommended to find self-care systems that work for you.
“I step back from my work and take breaks,” Davidson said.
Taking breaks is actually highly recommended by professionals for dealing with mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, taking breaks can improve moods, performance, and a person’s “overall well-being.”
“It’s so important to remember that taking breaks is a good thing when you’re overwhelmed,” Davidson said. “It’s not worth it to ignore your stress and try to push through it.”
With stress levels rising and expectations mounting, taking even a few minutes each day to pause, breathe, and reset can make a huge difference. By participating in the week’s activities and engaging in open conversations about mental health, we can take a step forward in normalizing support, self-care, and balance.
“It is important to take care of your mental health because overall, [it] improves your outlook and allows you to be more active in your life and be happier,” Ziesemer said.
