Most people go to school, and have a hard time staying on top of everything, and keeping good grades, but what about those who suffer from a mental illness and have a harder time with school. What do they do? A mental illness is a health condition involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). School is not the only place that people with mental illness may be affected, other places would be at home because of family issues or work, which is a high load of stress. But unlike most places school doesn’t have as many accommodations to help people. This makes school a much bigger challenge than what it already is, and over half of people with mental illnesses don’t get the help they need.

There are a few reasons why people don’t get the help they need, for example, not knowing there was help, other people telling them they don’t need it, or being afraid to get the help.  Sometimes schools have counselors, but not every kid trusts, or wants to talk to their counselor. Finding someone to talk to is a big step to take and by far the most important, but it’s also the hardest to do. Asking for help is something each person finds hard to do, because they want to show they can be independent, but all it will do to them is hurt them more. Opening up can be hard, and that’s why there is a group to help people who have a hard time talking about how they feel, and what’s wrong. This group is called, Raise Your Voice, which came to SPASH last school year in January 2024, and has been helping kids in our school daily. Raise Your Voice, or RYV, strives to help people who have mental illnesses, and show them that there is someone there to talk to, and who wants to help you. The president of RYV, Skye Yang, has stated ¨Within Raise Your Voice, I hope to accomplish success. Not through prestige, but through genuine connections and empathy. I want to be successful in ending the stigma surrounding mental health in my community by sending the message of kindness and understanding. I want Raise Your Voice to be a pillar and foundation of safety for SPASH through our work and events. I know that this will take a long time for our club to become a fully realized symbol of support at SPASH, but I will continue to encourage and propel my peers towards success long after I graduate.¨ this shows how important helping other people is to RYV and its leaders. To help people feel more comfortable RYV gave their members green bandanas or lanyards to wear in school showing people they are a safe person who can help. If you are ever having a hard time and see someone who is wearing a RYV lanyard or bandana,  you can ask them for help and they will take you to someone who is able to assist you. Another thing that Yang wants to be known is, ¨With the brief presence of Raise Your Voice at SPASH this past year and a half, I have noticed more sensitivity and empathy from my peers regarding mental health. For instance, within my personal friend group I have seen more of my friends embrace their struggles and open up to me as a supportive pillar because of my role as President.¨ This is growth, and proof people can change to be better.

RYV wants to make school a more comfortable place for everyone, and show people that it’s ok to be who you are. Being yourself is the best thing you can do. If you want to see what RYV does you can come down during lunch each wednesday and join the meeting. You don’t have to join the club to feel cared for. If you feel like you’re not yourself but you don’t want to talk to people, RYV can still help you. They are able to give you a safe space where you can unwind and feel more comfortable and go out there. Remember it’s normal to be stressed and tired, but make sure you are able to let off steam when needed, and don’t hold it in to tell you to pop. Talking to people may not be something you like to do, but don’t forget, RYV once was in your shoes too.