As we move through January and February, students are diving back into the school routine. For many, this time brings a unique set of pressures. But not everyone has someone to talk to during these tough moments.

Stigma around seeking help for mental health is improving, but some on campus, especially boys, still find it hard because they’ve been told to be tough and not share their feelings.

Amy Lehane, a Williston nurse and mental health advocate, preaches three main values of mental health: “Reflection,” “Creation,” and “Passion.”

“Reflection is to take time out of your day and settle your mind mentally. Listen to music loud or quiet or just take time to breathe,” said Lehane. “Creation is the action of creating your thoughts into something you can see or read.”

“Passion,” she continued, “is simply the idea of doing the things you love and enjoying each day for the different things you do.”

Anne Zager, one of Williston’s two full-time School Counselors, also emphasized the need to take time to express your feelings to yourself before you can feel comfortable expressing them to others.

“Expressing yourself through any outlet such as writing or drawing and gaining the confidence to open up about your mental health is very important,” said Zager.

Meg Colenback, the Director of Mental Health at Williston, has tips to help people get out of the ditch they feel in.

“Enjoy everything you do in your days at Williston,” she said. “While you might feel in a dark hole and alone, use the opportunities that day to day life has at this school. Go to clubs, play new sports, find more things that you enjoy, that will start to pull you up and out of the rut you are in.

Zager also spoke to the shame that people get when trying to open up and the need to get rid of it, and how to do so by being a leader.

“There is a stigma around mental health in our society, and everyone should do their best to try to break that stigma,” said Zager “Be a leader in this community. Speak out against holding back the emotions. Beyond that, lead by example; it is important from people to see that it is ok to not be ok.”

Colenback also spoke about the stigma around mental health and some ways to make it more and more acceptable to be not ok.

“Beyond doing things for your own mental health, the only way to get rid of the stigma is to help everyone, even if it is the little things, checking in on your friends, making sure people feel comfortable in dorms, and advocating for mental health,” said Ms. Colenback.