Many mental health resources are available for students who may be struggling, both online and in person. With poor psychological well-being becoming more of an ongoing issue in young adults, there are individuals and organizations here to help.
“Teens today face a wide range of stressors— social, academic, family-related, and digital— that can deeply impact their mental well-being,” said Boys Town National Hotline Supervisor Tiffany Awortwi. “Having access to mental health resources ensures they don’t feel alone in what they’re experiencing. Early support helps teens learn healthy coping strategies, build resilience, and, most importantly, feel heard and valued.”
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated one out of seven people ranging from ages 10 to 19 struggle with their mental health, but go without help. Despite this, the National Library of Medicine demonstrates that reaching out for help can be beneficial for improving mental health in adolescents and allowing them to feel less alone. This was the case for sophomore Alexander Berger.
“I had a lot going on and I needed to tell somebody,” said Berger. “And the first person that I was able to tell anything was my [school] counselor, so that really helped me out.”
At Bellevue East, for instance, there are a number of resources available to students including but not limited to counselors, the school psychologist, and even on-site therapists. One of East’s counselors, Casie Onken, spoke about her process when helping a student for the first time, explaining that she tries to get to know them before handling the situation.
“It [handling a mental health situation] depends on if it’s a new student or if I’ve worked with the student previously,” Onken said. “Usually if I’ve worked with them previously, I have a pretty good idea on their background and what are my concerns and things like that. If it’s a new student then I try to figure out a little bit about what is their background; is this something new; kind of give me details.”
Another resource, Boys Town, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting children and families in the community. Their teen hotline, Your Life Your Voice, is available anytime or day for youths to speak with a counselor.
“What makes Boys Town unique is our holistic, family-centered approach,” Awortwi said. “We don’t just focus on one moment— we walk alongside youth and families through ongoing support, whether that’s crisis intervention, referrals, or parenting help. Our hotline is available 24/7, and we offer text and chat services, which many teens find more comfortable than calling.”
Should a student ever find themselves struggling with their mental health, it is strongly advised by Awortwi that they reach out for help. These resources are only the tip of the iceberg as there are many other valuable others including family and/or trusted adults.
“I hope we continue to break the stigma around mental health, especially among teens,” Awortwi said. “My vision is a world where asking for help is seen as a strength, and where support is readily available, accessible, and inclusive for all.”