September has been marked as suicide awareness month, a time used to celebrate the lives lost to suicide, those who have struggle with mental health, and to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. 

Mental health awareness has become more prominent in recent years but it still has a negative stigma that follows it. Awareness helps people understand that dealing with struggles involving mental health is normal. 

Mar Roberts is a current East senior. 

“It’s important that we recognize that sometimes it’s fine to not be okay and that sometimes people need more support than other people.” Roberts said. 

Many people do not realize there are so many different resources that are available for managing their mental health, especially students in the East. 

Kelly Butler is an East Social worker. 

“Every student has a social worker, every student has a counselor, and they don’t just do academic things. We can help with those mental health challenges too.” Butler said. 

There are resources for teens everywhere. Organizations like the Jed Foundation and Elyssa’s Mission are organizations that specifically aim at awareness for teens mental health. It is important to help others be aware of the importance of maintaining and taking care of mental health. 

Links to the Jed Foundation https://jedfoundation.org/ and Elyssa’s Mission https://elyssasmission.org/ . If you or someone you know needs help or wants to discuss mental health concerns: visit the 988 Suicide & crisis Lifeline Website. 

Written by senior Alexis Fisher. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.