| SOS: Stressed Out Students |
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Literature Review
In the last few years the Bay Area has been struck with a heartbreaking problem. Just about a week ago on May 17, 2015, a pedestrian was hit by a Caltrain near the Atherton station. Authorities believe it was an intentional death, a suicide. This death by jumping in front of a train is one of many in that area, and people are questioning why this is happening. The fact of the matter is that most of these pedestrians have been students at Gunn High School in Palo Alto. Although we cannot understand their motives for sure, many believe it is the rigorous academic nature of Gunn High School and the pressure to succeed that is causing these students to push boundaries and do unfathomable actions. It is easy to see that being a high school student these days is stressful. Parents are one main source of this stress because they set such high expectations for grades, extracurriculars, and more. Students are expected to load their schedules with numerous AP or Advanced Placement courses then strive for straight A’s on top of that. Psychologists are seeing the negative effects this is causing and advocating for a major change (Greenberg). Students are in need of more balanced lifestyles (Brown). They should be involved in other activities outside of school, but a reasonable number so as not to overwhelm themselves. Students do not need to be the "top dog" so to speak in all of these activities, but they should enjoy them. Setting goals and prioritizing obligations is also important in establishing positive wellbeing. Upon examining the data, the numbers do not lie. Students’ stress levels are skyrocketing and currently lie equal to and in some case higher than the stress levels reported by adults (Jayson). What ever happened to letting kids enjoy their youth? With students so burdened by pressure and expectations, the stress they exhibit is manifesting in many unhealthy ways, and without proper relief from this stress, these effects can be lasting (Mayo Clinic). Research shows that stress affects all systems of the body (Mayo Clinic). It messes with sleep, causes headaches and other body pains, and disrupts regular eating and digestion. Stress causes changes in mood, leading to anger and irritability as well as anxiety and depression. Thirdly, stress affects behavior, causing students to turn to substances like drugs or alcohol, withdraw socially, and further alter eating habits. But these effects do not stop there. Returning to the idea of suicide is important because when these students have had enough, they find themselves with suicidal ideation that can progress all the way to committing the act itself (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control). In the case of Gunn High School, suicide is becoming a trend with regards to managing stress. The loss of a life is a grave and horrible issue, but the positive side to this is that suicide is preventable. Already schools are making changes to better support their students and ease the burden they carry. There are programs being implemented in schools to increase awareness and education on the issue (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control). Finally, parents and peers are taking part to look out for one another. This epidemic can be stopped if we just remember that every life matters and that life should be worth living. Let’s put an end to suicide. |
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