Between juggling homework, extracurriculars, and college applications, students often find themselves under immense pressure. Moreover, everything they do, from class participation to testing ability, is observed and evaluated. This can force students to equate their value as a person to their performance. For many students, balancing all their responsibilities leaves little room for relaxation.
The extent of poor mental health of students is often overlooked in the pursuit of academic excellence and according to NASSP, an alarming 40% of high school students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless in 2023. Among these students, academic pressure was the most commonly reported stressor. This is particularly troubling because stress negatively affects academic performance creating a vicious cycle. Ipswich is no exception. According to adjustment counselor Ms. Scott, the most common cause of student stress is academics. She then explained that students at Ipswich are very competitive with each other and that the school’s small size makes comparison easy. The consistent comparison between students makes many feel inadequate, forcing them to spend more time studying and doing homework.
Not only can this take away from other aspects of students’ lives, but it can cause them to lose sleep which is critically important for teenagers’ development. According to the CDC, 77% of high school students regularly didn’t get enough sleep in 2021. Proper sleep is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and improve mood. It also lowers the risk of chronic diseases and motor vehicle accidents. Yet, for most students, getting enough sleep is a daily battle, one that cannot be won without proper support.
Among other stressors, Ms. Scott named social media one of the most significant. Social media also promotes feelings of inadequacy through comparison. It creates high standards that are not reasonable for the vast majority of students which are a leading cause of eating disorders. According to the NEDA one million children engage in risky behaviors in an attempt to control their weight each month.
School-induced stress often exacerbates this problem, but school could also be part of the solution. Chevese Turner, Chief Strategy & Policy Officer of the NEDA, highlights the critical role schools can play in addressing mental health concerns, stating, “Schools are uniquely positioned to play a part in this increasingly significant public health issue that has the second highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder and will affect over 30 million people in their lifetime in the US alone”
Ipswich High School is aware of these problems and has implemented many strategies to protect student mental health. The school provides two adjustment counselors that are always available to students. In health class, which is required for all students, students are taught about anxiety and how to manage it. There is also a referral program where faculty or students who notice someone struggling can refer them to a counselor. Although Ipswich High School does have these strategies, there is still more that can be done to help students mitigate stress.
When asked about what he would like to see implemented as an in-school resource, senior Tyler Sardinas suggested a room where students could take a break and de-stress during the school day, if needed.
Moreover, Ipswich Public Schools could also implement a wellness program, or school-based health center, to help students suffering from mental health issues, and even some physical health issues. According to a study conducted by the NIH in 2016, SBHCs were “effective in improving an array of educational and health-related outcomes” and “they have the potential to improve social mobility and improve health equity.” In Massachusetts, 40 health centers offer SBHC programs to high schools in 21 cities and towns. Taking into account how focused the state of Massachusetts is on improving student health and well-being, it would be easy for the school to implement one of these programs or something similar.
When asked what her recommendations for dealing with school-induced stress were, Ms. Scott replied, “I’m a big fan of zooming out and asking how much this will matter in 5 years.” This is a great reminder to students that although school is important it shouldn’t come before any of their basic needs. By recognizing that mental health is crucial to both academic success and overall well-being, protecting students from stress will improve both their education and their lives.
