Victoria Toto, a senior at Emmaus High School has been suffering from depression since her middle school years. Toto believes that the school staff is really helpful when it comes to depression if students allow the department to help.
“It can be very hard to go to a teacher or staff when you are struggling, but they can’t help if they don’t know what is happening,” Toto said. “When I let the staff into what was going on with me and my struggles, they were able to help me make it through the school day and be there when I needed.”
According to The National Institute of Mental Health, about 4 million high school students had at least one major depressive episode in 2022.
Rachel Richwine, our school psychologist, who is located in the counselor’s office, is available whenever a student needs to talk about what might be troubling them. Some of the students Richwine interacts with have been struggling with depression since they were young. Students who cannot get help outside of the school, have the option to reach out to the staff for help. Another option the school offers to students in need is the Aevidum Club. This club is dedicated to students’ mental health, and has students and staff as an outlet for students struggling with negative thoughts and actions.
“The number one thing for people who [are] going through depression is just to have one person to go [to],” Richwine said.
The EHS staff helped Toto feel safe and provided a comfortable place to go to if she is struggling.
“My guidance counselor and school psychologist were always there for me when I was struggling, and I know I can go to the two of them for anything and they would have my back,” Toto said.
Finding help for someone struggling with depression is important; they may find other ways to cope if they do not have access to guidance. Instead of turning to destructive coping mechanisms, EHS students can visit their counseling staff for readily available, understanding staff members willing to help every student who steps through their door.
