A staggering 70% of teens classify anxiety to be a major problem, and each day there are roughly 12 suicides. The pressure we face as adolescents is immeasurable. Over half of teens report that they feel pressured to achieve good grades. At Priory, this academic pressure and stress is even higher. We cannot simply ignore this; anxiety needs to be addressed openly and honestly. We must not worry and feel hesitant to discuss anxiety. The goal for mental health week this year is to ignite that conversation.
Highschool is a difficult and stressful time for all. The introduction and normalization of social media in the past decade has only further aided this anxiety issue. The multitude of pressures we face are nearly impossible to tackle on our own. It’s necessary that we support each other through these obstacles. One of the many gifts at Priory is that there is an abundance of support. The Catholic roots, brotherhood, small class sizes, etc. are all resources of support for us. We must start this conversation and not be complacent. God gives us the gift of courage to handle these obstacles. We have to trust in him and not worry. Mental health and the welfare of us is an issue which cannot be neglected. You never know what someone else is going through. The positive impact you can have on someone else cannot be understated. “Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Have faith, trust in our Lord, and do not worry.
