A letter from the editors,
Mental health is an issue that impacts millions of individuals every year, yet despite the relevance, it tends to be a topic avoided in discussions. As a Roar staff, we are working to break the stigmas around mental health issues and cover stories that deal with this difficult topic.
We strive to write articles that matter.
The article below is the starting point for a section we are working to develop thoughtfully and purposefully, regarding mental health. One of our staff writers has decided to share his experiences with depression by addressing the way he copes with it.
Mary Holohan and Morgan King
My palms are sweaty and I’m afraid of what the day has in store.
A mentor just came up to me and asked if I was ok; on the outside, I want to portray the image that everything is fine.
But on the inside, I know how I feel and this feeling is definitely not good.
I’ve had issues with depression since the 8th grade. I would try various things to try and cope with this “darkness.”
Fidget spinners, video games, writing my thoughts down on paper, even resulting in having hour-long conversations with my little sister about my depression.
Nothing seemed to work. I would come to school, go to practice, go home, and stay clear of my family members. I didn’t want them to see me in this zombie-like state.
My sophomore year I finally stumbled upon something that would help for years to come. When I received my first smartphone for Christmas that year, I was excited to be a “normal” high school student. The phone came with the standard accessories: a charger and set of headphones.
I started making my favorite playlists where I would get lost with the different music.
I quickly discovered that I could block out the negative thoughts flowing in and out of my brain. I could focus on the lyrics of the songs rather than the negative thoughts.
Although this appeared to be my ticket out of a black hole I had been trapped in for years, it started to create tension with some of my greatest mentors (teachers).
They would describe how I would shun myself from the class and I would turn into another person. Yet, I was simply trying to get through some of the hardest times in my life where music was my only escape.
With the attempt of suicide rates reaching an all-time high at 77 percent, we need to shine a light on this topic that young adults struggle to find ways to cope with their depression.
In today’s society, we have to face that truth.
Hopefully, I have helped share one idea to help fight this.
If you are struggling with mental health or suicide, talk to a trusted adult or call this number immediately:
(1-800-273-8255)
