Throughout our lives we have been taught the importance of education. We are told to go to school, to graduate, to get our degree in order to lead a better quality life. I've come to understand many things about school except one. To this day, I question where the line is drawn when it comes to our mental health in school. Many students live with mental disorders which affect their everyday lives. In many cases, it makes going to school a challenge. Even if you don't have a mental disorder, your mental health can make school just as difficult. But everyone knows that you don't get a sick day for a mental breakdown, nor do you get a breather for feeling strong emotions of stress and anxiety.
This is for all the students with social anxiety who struggle to give speeches and presentations. Because teachers expect you to work for your grade despite the shaking in your legs and the violent thumping in your heart. This is for all the students who have panic attacks that manage to get through classes. The sudden rush of dread and wanting to run far far away, but you manage to find a way to stay in your seat. I've been there. I've done that. This is for all the students with depression who find it in themselves to get up in the morning and go to school. I sincerely applaud you for going to classes despite the vicious thoughts that cloud your mind and eat you up inside. But keep in mind this is also for the students out there who might not have a disorder, but who find it hard to get through school due to their mental health.
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The thing about mental health is that you have no control over it. We go through break-ups, losses, and big life changes. It is extremely important to note that when it comes to mental illness, it is not like getting the flu or a cold. You don't just take medicine and it goes away. There's no magical remedy or vaccine out there that rids your body entirely from it. Mental illness is something you live with. But the world keeps moving, the day keeps going. Before you know it, your alarm goes off for school. But you're in no condition to do so. What now?
Your mental health should always come before school. If it's two am and you have a huge midterm tomorrow but you find yourself shaking and crying, not sure you want to live anymore- sit down. Wrap yourself in a fuzzy blanket. Drink a hot cup of tea and get some sleep. So what if you get a 56 on the midterm? You took care of you and that's the best thing you could've done. Your well-being will always mean more than a letter grade. Yes, we value school but we must also learn to value ourselves... and that alone is far greater than anything you will learn in school.
