Mental health has always been a significant part of my identity, influencing all aspects of my life. During my four years of high school, I became increasingly aware of my struggles and those of my peers. Every individual experiences challenges with their mental health at some point in their lives, yet not everyone feels comfortable discussing it. However, I firmly believe in the power of our voices; the ongoing process of talking and destigmatizing mental health is a crucial issue that we must continue to address. I have been fortunate to have access to adequate resources for my mental health, and I am eager to share these to help others.

High school students in low-poverty areas across the country are currently grappling with a mental health crisis of unprecedented proportions. Many are battling anxiety, depression, self-harm, trauma, and overwhelming emotions without the necessary coping tools. "Nearly 90 percent of schools reported increased social and emotional support for students during the 2021-22 academic year." (Ed Surge) This leads to academic decline and isolation and necessitates crisis-level interventions for some. The absence of proactive education leaves students to navigate these intense emotional challenges alone. Even teachers and school counselors, who are also overwhelmed, struggle to provide consistent support due to high student-to-staff ratios. It is noted how families in poverty need mental health support the most but are least likely to receive it, "Living in a poor or low-income household has been linked to poor health and increased risk for mental health problems in both children and adults that can persist across the life span. Despite their high need for mental health services, children and families living in poverty are least likely to be connected with high-quality mental health care." (National Library of Medicine)

If schools continue to overlook the importance of emotional skill-building, we will witness a continued rise in youth mental health crises, absenteeism, and long-term psychological harm. However, if we take action now and introduce Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-based lessons, students will acquire invaluable tools to manage emotions, communicate effectively, and cope with stress. DBT, a skills-based therapy with four modules focusing on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness, could significantly benefit high school students. This could lead to fewer hospitalizations, healthier relationships, and greater success in and out of the classroom. Carla D. Chugani explains, "Our results indicate that DBT STEPS-A is acceptable and feasible for teachers involved in offering the program and that more work is needed to address the appropriateness of the content for racially and socio-economically diverse students, ease of implementing lessons, and support for teachers using DBT STEPS-A skills outside of class." (Springer)

I propose that public schools use part of their funds to educate health teachers on DBT lessons to incorporate into mandatory health classes. We need to push for grants that support mental health programs. These lessons will have lifelong impacts on adolescents in mental health crises.

We're in the middle of a national youth mental health crisis, and students need fundamental, usable tools—now. Waiting for more students to reach a breaking point is not an option. With increased awareness of emotional wellness and growing support for mental health education, the moment is right to push for meaningful, lasting change. Schools already teach physical health—now it's time they teach emotional health, too.