Student Council Sparks Conversation About Mental Health

Throughout the week of January 22, Student Council hosted its second annual Mental Health Awareness Week in order to raise awareness for the different mental illnesses that may affect students. Students and faculty were encouraged to wear designated colors each day to show support for those who struggle with their mental health.

Student Council President Raqeeb Ali said that mental health is a very important thing that high school students need to be educated about.

“Making our student body feel comfortable and well-understood is one of Student Council’s priorities,” Ali said. “Mental health is so important, not only to me, but my fellow officers and our members.”

Their goal is to make students feel safe enough to talk about what they are experiencing and to let everyone know that they are not alone.

“We’re creating a platform and an environment to say it’s okay to deal with what you are going through,” Ali said. “If [students] ever need anything, we’re always here as an LC family to help.”

Student Council plans to continue with their mission to raise support for different areas of mental health in upcoming years.

“This is the second year, and I’m positive StuCo will continue on bringing awareness toward mental illness,” Ali said.

Sophomore Valentina Chen dressed up every day so that people who deal with mental illness know they are not alone.

“I especially dressed up for depression because I’ve suffered through it,” Chen said. “By dressing up you are helping the people who are suffering know that there is at least someone there to help.”

Senior Joy Lewis has not personally experienced the mental illnesses being presented this week, but she still displayed the colors of each day to support those around her who are struggling.

“I’m dressing up this week to support my fellow patriots,” Lewis said. “I’m supporting this because I know people who are dealing with mental stuff.”

Student Council sponsor Amy Davis has seen the positive impact this week has made on the student body, both this year and last year.

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback on social media thanking us for bringing awareness.” Davis said.

This week’s meaning is just as important for the teachers as it is for the students.

“It brings the awareness for teachers to know ‘I need to look for these signs, this is impacting my students,’” Davis said. “And it allows the students to say ‘hey, my friend meets all this criteria.’”

This April, Student Council is running for the vice presidential office at the Texas Association of Student Councils annual conference, and is using their mental health campaign as their platform.

“You have to pick a campaign that means something to you as a student body,” Davis said.  “You campaign about it and it could possibly turn into the state project for the next year.”