In America, approximately 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 5 children suffer from a mental disease. Since 1949, Mental Health America has established May as Mental Health Awareness Month, a month reserved to bring realization on how effective mental diseases are to the millions who suffer. There are many types of mental disease such as anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and more.

One may ask, what is the importance of raising awareness for mental health? Believe it or not, mental health is just as important and sometimes more important than your physical health. Your mental health affects how you behave and what choices you make every day; it also influences your physical health.

People do not always realize how many people suffer from mental diseases. Celebrities such as Adele, Miikka Skaffari, Camila Cabello, Kanye West and Emma Stone suffer from different types of mental disorders. In fact, Emma Stone has opened up about her disorder to show that people who live lives full of glamour and fame can actually suffer from disorders just like everyone else.

One of the main reasons that Mental Health Awareness Month is so important within our school is because many students experience problems with it one way or another. Something that many Bob Jones students do not know is that we have a mental health counselor, Kaylie Pennington, who comes to our school each week to help students who are struggling with mental disorders. She works at the Enrichment Center which provides counselors for students across our district. For students who need help, Mrs. Pennington visits Bob Jones three times a week, and you can schedule to meet with her through the Guidance Office.

For those who are around that struggle, how can we bring awareness about mental health to our school? Pennington says that learning about it and knowing ways to help those in need is an important start. There are many ways to help; being there for someone when they are struggling, letting them know you support them, and educating others about mental disabilities.

It is important to remember that you never know what someone is going through and to always respect those around you. Be willing to help those in need.