Although there is a stigma on mental health, it is something everyone is subject to, and needs to be talked about. With enforced quarantine after the closing of schools, teens are beginning to feel a variety of emotions.

Because mental health is not viewed as important as physical health, individuals do not know how to react to negative emotions or thoughts. It is essential that teens see mental health just as importantly as physical health.

When schools closed and began to enforce online schooling, many students were given an absurd amount of work to do at home, putting a strain on the mental health of students. Studies show that techniques such as meditation, exercise, body scanning, and guided imagery can help in battling stress, anxiety, or depression that may come from this pandemic. By practicing the listed actions, teens would see a shift in mood, or emotions in a positive manner, that would show them the realness of mental health, and help them overcome the negative aspects of it. Additionally, just like how people share ways to better their physical health, when individuals share techniques to better their mental state of mind, it elucidates the importance of mental health.

During this quarantine, teens should continually talk with their peers, and stay connected to others. Regularly talking to friends about one’s feelings, and being aware of those feelings -which is called mindfulness-can raise awareness in itself because practicing mindfulness leads to reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved memory, focus, and mental processing speed, greater satisfaction in relationships, and an improved ability to manage emotions. Mental health would be promoted just by individuals experiencing the benefits after practicing mindfulness.

As many people, specifically teens, fall victim to negative emotions during a time like this, it is important to maintain a healthy mental state.

For a person to be truly healthy, there needs to be both good mental health and physical health. Just as individuals are practicing safe hygiene, they should also practice certain activities to ensure a healthy state of mind.

<Lucas Jung / North Hollywood High 11th Grade>