WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) – With the new school year underway, experts are reminding parents and educators about the importance of mental health.
Quiet school halls are once again filled with squeaky shoes and lively chatter.
While the return brings excitement, it also highlights growing concerns about students’ mental health.
Chloe is a sophomore at DC Everest. She’s the founder of her own mental health organization, Resilience in Action.
It was her personal struggle with mental health that inspired her to start this organization and work to help others.
“I struggled with my mental health and so have my friends. And I really just want to make sure that everyone in our community has a place where they can go and they know that they are safe and loved,” says Chloe Munguia, Founder of Resilience in Action.
Experts say the message means a little more when it’s peer, instead of an adult, reaching out to talk about their mental health.
“Really see that other person, that other individual and what they’re going through. And offer some comfort,” says Tracy Schlegel, Executive Director at NAMI Northwoods.
Statistics show that 1 in 6 adolescents will struggle with their mental health.
“Since lockdown, we’ve had some changes in our society. And I think that, that number might be a little higher,” says Schlegel.
And as those numbers rise, professionals say that spreading awareness and support programs is even more important.
“Having that awareness is what gets people through,” says Schlegel.
Chloe is running multiple social platforms, a website and a local event to help raise awareness on teen mental health.
“I am working and getting things called resilience kits into local teens centers and schools around the area,” says Munguia.
Schlegel says it is not only important to reach out to teens but also educate parents and adults surrounding adolescents on how important their roles are.
“In the case of an adolescent, I might have to stay right there with them and go through the steps. If that means calling 988 to look for more resources, then we’re going to do it together,” says Schlegel.
“If we could create a community where kids feel safe to talk about their feelings and they know how to help themselves and others, then this can drastically reduce the rate of suicide and mental health struggles within our community,” says Munguia.
If you’d like to support Munguia’s mission to raise awareness about mental health or learn more about how to support someone going through a mental health crisis — you can find links here.
https://www.nami.org/kids-teens-and-young-adults/
