By Emma Meinen
As you may have noticed, this week at DDHS is HOPE week. We’ve had dress-up days, and a couple of activities, but there’s a deeper meaning behind this week. HOPE week serves as a reminder that YOU aren’t alone.
Everywhere across the globe people face battles with mental health. This can impact the way we think, act, and feel. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 50% of people in the United States may be diagnosed with a mental health disorder at some point in their lives. Mental health can impact anybody, even the happiest person you know.
It’s important to be aware of any signs, symptoms, and precautions regarding your mental health, and those around you. Struggles with mental health are often invisible, but some common symptoms to look for in yourself and others include: feeling down for a long period, extreme mood swings, withdrawals from family, friends, and activities, low energy, problems sleeping, often feeling angry, hostile, or violent, having feelings of being paranoid, and often thinking about death or suicide. There are also other warning signs such as a friend or family member giving away special/important items to them, falling grades, signs of them not caring as much about the things that they used to, and subtle signs they give while talking (ex. “I hope I go to bed tonight and don’t wake up.”)
On a lighter note, this week at DDHS, we’re having a week full of fun activities to promote kindness and hope. Monday was “HOPE Ties us Together” and on Monday morning, many students participated in our HOPE wall. Hope Squad members sat in the front commons on Monday morning and had students/staff fill out a colorful flower with positive messages, phrases, or words and they then taped them onto the HOPE wall located in the front commons by the library. The HOPE wall also handed out yellow ribbons to promote suicide prevention.
On Tuesday, there was only a dress-up day: “Workout problems with HOPE.” On this day people were encouraged to wear their workout clothes.
On Wednesday during advisory, a presentation was given by Hope Squad members. During advisory, members also had students complete messages for the HOPE wall. For the presentation, members introduced themselves and delivered some special gifts to the advisors. The dress-up day today was “Peace, Love, and Hope” in which students were encouraged to wear tie-dyed clothing or bright colors.
Finally, on Thursday (tomorrow), there will be an all-school rock-paper-scissors competition. Each class will have different colored beaded necklaces. Students may compete against anyone in any class; however, to compete against a staff member, students must have five or more sets of beads. Anyone with twenty-five beads or more by the end of the day can stop by Quad 151 to collect comet cash and a prize. Treats were also given out to staff members and the dress-up day was “Team HOPE,” in which students and staff should wear sports jerseys or Comet gear.
Life poses many obstacles, but never forget to take care of yourself too. If you ever find yourself struggling with mental health for any reason, don’t be afraid to reach out to a loved one, friend, trusted adult, or counselor. You are not alone.
thecometeer