Many people around the world believe it’s shameful if they have a mental illness. It is often seen as a weakness rather than a serious health problem. This stigma has made mental illness a seemingly unspoken topic. With one in five children diagnosed with a mental illness, we need to start talking about it to end the stigma and help those in need.

There is a fear that talking about certain aspects of mental illness will lead to disastrous effects. One aspect of this is the fear of talking about suicide. According to an analysis done by The New York Times, if media writes about suicide without offering hope and resources available to help others suffering from depression, suicide contagion can begin. Suicide contagion is when one person’s suicide influences others to commit suicide. While this is a legitimate reason to avoid the discussion of suicide, it is still essential to let people suffering from all mental illnesses know that there is help and support available to them.

As more people talk about mental illness and the treatment available to them, as others have received, it creates a common experience. For some people reluctant to seek out help, this can be just what they need to convince them otherwise.

Some people talk about mental illness in the wrong way. They speak as if a person is defined by their mental illness. With this, those who suffer are even more reluctant to recognize their own mental illness. The more we talk about it as we do other medical disorders, the more likely others will seek the support and treatment.

There are various different ways to help students in need, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-8255). There are also resources available to students within LT. Guidance counselors and social workers are always available to assist students with problems, whether they have to do with academics or mental health. Teachers are another great way to receive help.

“Depending on how much exposure or training they have had in mental health issues, their comfort level may vary, but they can definitely help support a student,” Student Assistance Program Coordinator Jeanne Widing said. “They are very open, if a student does confide in them, they can process with that student, they can get the student either to a place where they can access support outside of school or at the very least take advantage of the supports here at school.”

LT staff is being trained so that they will be informed and aware of these problems, Widing said. Teachers’ day-to-day relationships with students allow them to feel comfortable enough to seek support from them. Students will also learn about mental health through group guidance and over the announcements. For the month of September, LT spread awareness to students about suicide prevention through offering information over the daily announcements. According to Widing, LT staff is looking to post signs for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline around school, once they have gone through a copyright process that allows them to do this, Widing said. There are many resources available to students; we just need to let them know that they are here for them.