By Arely Soria
With October being mental awareness month, what better thing to talk about than our mental health? One’s mental health is an extremely important topic that can affect them greatly. I believe it’s important that we are aware of the symptoms and how to deal with these things, not just for ourselves but for the people around us. Depression is one of the most common mental health issues people go through, especially high school students. Studies show that 16% of US teens suffer from depression. People sometimes take it lightly or don’t give it much importance, using the excuse that “oh they’re just tired” or “oh they're just sad”. It's deeper than that though, someone who has depression goes through things like feeling hopeless, frustrated, anxious, lack of motivation, and feeling helpless. In certain cases, it's recommended to talk to someone whether it's a family member or a friend. You could also talk to a counselor here at Eisenhower or call 988 and be connected to someone who can help you feel better. You don’t have to talk to someone if you do not feel ready or comfortable. It’s not all about going to therapy, there also are other ways to deal with depression. For example changing little things in your diet, such as eating healthier with less junk food. Another thing you can do is exercise and that doesn’t necessarily mean going to the gym but simply being more active. As always thinking positive has a huge effect on how your mind works. Finding ways to help others also has a positive result on one’s self. Lastly, hobbies such as writing and drawing that will help you express yourself are good too. As you can see there are many helpful ways to deal with depression all you have to do is find what works for you!