A teenager’s life revolves around

their education.

Where easily influenced minds

are taught what’s

wrong and right

by other easily influenced minds.

Where we face constant pressure

to do our best

and lose ourselves in

the process.

Where we break our backs to turn in that one paper

that affects a GPA

that seems to ruin our lives but only ends

with our minds

slowly rotting.

Rotting to the point where we

might end up on a path that ends

in the end.

But why should it come to that?

Parents want an institution that cares

about their child’s mental health.

Schools in Oregon and Utah allow students to take

mental health days

but where is this statewide?

Why would my child’s mental health

not be your first priority

when they might want to die

from just their thoughts?

“The suicide rate for teens has risen

by 30 percent since 2007” (Prothero).

But of course, that’s their fault

right?

They chose to end their lives

right?

But maybe they didn’t know.

They didn’t know

that there were people who cared

they didn’t know

counseling on campus is free

they didn’t know

schools offer a suicide hotline.

They just didn’t know.

There are resources,

there are options,

there is more than just sitting there

and taking it

until you can’t take it anymore.

Will it be enough though?

Yes.

Am I enough though?

Yes.

Your future

is never more important than

your mental health

when your mental health

influences your future.