School and social situations outside of school seem to be stressing students out.

In a survey of 100 Morton East students, only 9% said school has a positive effect on their mental health and stress.

According to Chat GPT, student mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, are widespread, affecting a significant portion of the student population. The academic impact brings students stress and mental health challenges that can hinder academic performance, leading to lower grades and decreased productivity. Academic pressure, financial concerns, social isolation, and life transitions can trigger or exacerbate mental health issues among students. Stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to mental health resources can deter students from seeking help. Students often employ various coping mechanisms, both healthy and unhealthy, to manage stress and mental health challenges during their academic journey.

“There’s not one thing in particular that can affect students’ mental health; in-school and outside-of-school activities could have an impact on their stress and mental well-being,” Morton Social worker Joscelyn Rivera said.

School and other scenarios can affect our mental health.

“The Covid-19 pandemic was a really stressful time for me, especially with an infant and not knowing what to do. Working my way and wondering how to manage things was a lot, but family support really helped me through it,” Morton Social worker Joscelyn Rivera said.

Finding people or ways to comfort ourselves can have an impact.

“I like to reflect on the situation and take some deep breaths, calming myself and do activities that will set my mind at peace,” Morton East Social worker Sheila Salgado said.

How do students deal with it?

“To deal with stress, I like to draw; it helps me feel relieved and it’s very therapeutic. Good friends and family members are always there,” Morton East student Brandon Gomez said.

“Talking to friends and joking around relieve my stress and make me feel better,” Morton East student Iker Vilchez said.

Morton East offers social workers on the second floor across from the guidance office if you need someone to talk to or vent. You can also get a referral from your guidance counselor.

Counseling office – (708) 780-4000 x2232