“I know that all my teachers and parents and friends would do everything they can to help me. However, it’s difficult because there’s always a part of me that wonders what they will think about me,” Sr. Lorri Deur said. 

Teenagers are struggling, largely due to an inability to share their emotions. They often feel overwhelmed or afraid of judgement. Many students find the arts to be a beneficial outlet for these emotions. 

The struggle to keep her mental state “positive” drove Sr. Jade DeMaagd further into her love for the studio arts. “I felt that it was a way I could express my emotions because I have a hard time expressing them verbally. Now I use my art to express my emotions and create things that other people can relate to as well, so that they feel like they aren’t alone,” DeMaagd said.

Sr. Ava Zambrana is a member of the Junior Varsity Dance Team. She said that dance can help improve a bad day, because she can hang out with her friends. “I’m very passionate about dance and being able to do something that I love. Not having to worry about everything that’s putting me down is like a breath of fresh air,” Zambrana said.

On the flip side, Jr. Arihanna Khounsavat is on West Ottawa’s Varsity Dance Team, and she feels that instead of dance positively impacting her mental health, her bad days just seem to ruin her dancing experience. 

“I start to doubt my abilities in the sport and think negatively of my skills even if I’m really good at it. In addition, it takes away my energy, and I feel like I can’t go full out and put all of my energy into what I’m doing,” Khounsavat said.

The problem is, when flooded with negative emotions, the brain struggles to complete tasks. “Theater does usually reduce my stress, because when I act, I feel free and forget about all of my worries. Even though I am still myself while acting, I use it to be someone else and stop thinking about what makes me anxious,” Deur said. 

However, Deur additionally said, “Usually, I use theater to be myself and let loose. However, when I have a very anxiety-filled day, I tend to grow quiet and wish the time away. It can also get in the way of me remembering my lines and my blocking.” After a bad day, the activities that teens typically love can become unnecessarily draining.

For Jr. Alex Velazquez, there has been an intense battle between theatre and mental health. “Theater has also been my safe place throughout high school. I feel as if the second I walk through the PAC doors, suddenly all my worries are gone and I can just go and do what I love most… I feel as if when I’m there, I can just clear my mind and not have to think about any of those things. I get to just be in the moment,” Velazquez said.

This is especially important for Velazquez because their father passed away in their freshman year. Theatre, band, and choir have been extremely helpful tools for Velazquez to cope and gain a community of support and close friends.

However, more serious topics sometimes trigger Velazquez. Last year, Velazquez played Howie Newsome, the milkman, in West Ottawa’s production of Our Town. The first time Velazquez heard Jr. Caedmon Kephart’s act three monologue, they “broke down” remembering their late father. “I had let my mental health get the best of me and shut myself down. Every time blocking or running that act, it always felt really heavy on me,” Velazquez said.

A crucial note for those battling mental health to remember that they are allowed to take time to themselves. If a typical coping mechanism does not work at the moment, take a break or a deep breath and find something better.

Helpful activities include finding a trusted close friend, or a school counselor to talk to, but artful activities provide a positive outlet for those who don’t want to talk. 

Remember that if you’re struggling, there is always someone who cares.

1-800-273-TALK (8255)