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Zahra Savoji

No Gatekeeping: How To Come Out of the School Year Sane

If you have read our previous article about academic burnout and mental health, you’re a real one. But, for this article, we have stepped it up a notch and interviewed the Sentinel Mental Health Club for you! You might have forgotten about the gut-wrenching feeling of trauma you experienced this year in AP Calculus or AP Physics, but your body probably remembers. To help you better identify and address any academics-related mental health struggles, take a look at what Anna, one of the leads of the Mental Health Club, has to share with you.


The Mental Health Club has been very successful at raising awareness about mental health issues surrounding teens, and one of the most popular things they held this year was during Mental Health Awareness month. You may have seen posters around the school with Ms. Page-Newman, and how she eventually shaved her hair to fundraise for student mental health. Point is, Anna is educated on mental health and passionate about the topic, so you should probably keep reading the rest of the article!


Here is how the interview went:


So Anna, with our school being saturated with toxic academic standards (love Sentinel though), it could be said that academic burnout and the constant need to do more than just average is inevitable. What would you say this burnout looks like for most people, and how can it be identified?


“Academic burnout manifests itself in a variety of ways, depending on the individual. However, several common signs we may observe in ourselves and others are:


  • Physical and Mental Exhaustion

Often, you may just feel tired. This exhaustion, while leaving you physically fatigued and lacking in energy, may often be experienced mentally as well. We all know how it feels when we simply cannot retain any more information by the end of the school day! With mental exhaustion caused by burnout, you could experience this on a more regular basis- specifically, you may have difficulty concentrating, focusing, and processing new information.


  • Reduced Motivation and Interest

You may develop a sense of apathy and disengagement in some of the activities you enjoyed most. Often, loss of interest in your favorite subjects or hobbies may be coupled with a lack of motivation- you may be lacking the energy to complete assignments, study or participate in class.


  • Declining Academic Performance

A more common ‘symptom’ of academic burnout is a student’s decline in academic performance. This may result from a combination of the above factors or it may occur simultaneously.”


So then, I guess the next step would be the post-identification period of saying: okay, I am definitely experiencing academic burnout. What should the student proceed to do after that to heal from it?


“Fortunately, there are many ways to help combat your academic burnout!

  • In regards to academics, it’s highly suggested to adopt some effective study strategies! By implementing some efficient study habits, it is possible to help reduce stress and increase productivity. For instance, create a study schedule and space out your studying in order to avoid cramming and prevent the build up of stress. Additionally, adopting active recall study techniques (pretending to teach yourself, using flashcards, using a whiteboard, etc.) will save you the time and stress of rewriting or looking over all of your study material.

  • It’s also very important to create priority for your personal life! By engaging in activities that promote relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being (for instance, exercising, sleeping enough and regularly, and even meditation) you can help to address the mental health struggles associated with academic burnout.”

We actually touched a bit on the toxic Sentinel environment and honestly, it is difficult for the student to indicate that they need help. How would you say students should react to this environment or interact with it so that they are not as affected by it?

  • “Although it may be difficult to avoid the competitive nature of the students surrounding you all 5 years of highschool…there are ways to alleviate this pressure! I’ve noticed that if you are looking to go into STEM there is a bit of social pressure to take all 3 AP sciences. While this is great if you’d like to pursue STEM in-depth and gain an understanding of what university level courses will look like, it can be daunting and from personal experience, the social and academic pressure can be overwhelming. That’s not to say that non-STEM related courses are competitive or difficult- the bottom line is that at Sentinel, you will encounter some high achieving students. What you can do is surround yourself with those who, high achieving students or not, encourage and uplift you rather than engaging in negative academic competition. The right support circle may contribute to a healthier and more positive educational experience! Additionally, set your focus onto yourself rather than others. Only compare yourself to your past self rather than other students. Set realistic goals for yourself, celebrate your achievements and track your own progress. Shifting focus onto your personal growth can minimize the impacts of academic toxicity and pressure.”


All of this having been said, sometimes students genuinely get confused as to where to start. This might definitely ring a bell for some people, but it is almost as if they look up and see themselves surrounded by millions of deadlines and being afraid of total failure, all at the same time as dealing with a broken spirit. What should be the first step students take to talk to someone about their struggles? Who could be their best option?

  • “Whoever is most trustworthy and supportive to you may be someone you can feel comfortable opening up to. The first step may be identifying who this individual may be- it could be a friend, family member, teacher, counselor, a medical professional, etc. Consider their ability to listen, their empathy, and willingness to support! If you don’t have access to a medical professional or don’t feel comfortable speaking with an adult, you can initiate an open conversation with your trusted friend or family member. Something along the lines of:

  • ‘I’ve been struggling with some mental health challenges, and I would really appreciate your support and guidance. Is this a good time to talk?’

  • This can allow you to engage in an open and non-judgemental dialogue. Be receptive to their support and guidance, while exploring available external resources if you require professional support.”


To what extent is there stigma around seeking psychosocial or psychological help? Because, students are too afraid to come out of their bubble and say: hey, I’m going through this right now and I want to do well, but my mental health is devolving with every step I take.

  • “There is still some stigma surrounding seeking therapy or having a therapist, but it has been decreasing over time. Many people, including students, may hesitate to seek therapy for academic struggles due to concerns about being judged, misunderstood, or perceived as weak. However, it's important to note that attitudes towards therapy vary across individuals and cultures, and stigma can be influenced by a range of factors.”


We all saw this follow-up question coming: although it is easier said than done, what can students do to overcome this stigma?

  • Educate themselves and others:

“Learn about the benefits of therapy and mental health support for academic struggles. Understand that seeking help is a sign of strength and a proactive step towards personal growth and well-being. Share this knowledge with others to help challenge and dispel misconceptions.”


  • Normalize seeking support:

“Talk openly about mental health and therapy in conversations with peers, friends, and family. By sharing personal experiences or discussing the positive impact of therapy, students can help create a more accepting and understanding environment.”


Definitely not targeting any teachers––most of them are amazing––but, what should a student do if, after having communicated their mental health struggles with their teacher, if their teacher disregards their struggles? Or, how should students even effectively communicate their struggles with their teachers?


  • “Upon gathering your thoughts, try your best to articulate your concerns and needs clearly while meeting with a teacher- be honest and express how your mental health struggles may impact your ability to meet academic expectations. Many teachers at Sentinel are generally very understanding and will provide appropriate support and accommodations upon request- if you would like this to be ongoing, however, it is helpful to create an Individual Education Plan with your counselor. If you have relevant medical documentation, or concerns you would like to express indirectly, this will all be implemented into the plan in one file that can be shared with your teachers.”


Now, considering that all the things we discussed are the deep-rooted and difficult daily struggles of some students at Sentinel, what are some ways through which your club helps ease peoples’ mental health issues? We have already touched on your guys’ fundraising event which was absolutely amazing, by the way, but we wanted to hear a little bit more.


  • “Since 2020, we’ve hosted quite a few interactive activities and events designed to educate and involve the school community. For instance, our most recent fundraiser, raising $1800.00 in funds for the BC Children’s Hospital, was designed to raise money for innovative treatment and research of children’s mental health illnesses. Through hosting a raffle event in which we shaved a teacher’s head, we amassed a tremendous amount of student support! In addition to our larger events, we have held small activities within our ‘Mental Health Week’. For instance, by giving out free tea in the early morning before class, we hoped to help alleviate the stress or anxiety of students even slightly. No harm in keeping calm and staying hydrated!”


Thank you so much Anna for your time! All of this was super last minute and you were so incredibly patient throughout the process. Thanks for all the great tips, and good luck with your post-secondary education!


Well, there you have it! Now, you are equipped to answer this question after having read this article: how will you take a step towards healing after you finish reading this sentence?


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