Stockton-  As students, we spend a significant portion of our time at school, and it is very important that we create an environment that supports mental health. Many of the classmates we know and work with suffer, and find themselves struggling with mental health problems. It is extremely important that we learn to understand them, and more importantly, how to communicate and help them.

To understand mental health we must know that it affects anyone at any age. Many are struggling with ASD, anxiety, depression, or stress related to pressure inside and outside of school. If we can understand and identify these issues, we can become better allies for our peers. 

One of the easiest ways to support someone you know who may be struggling is by educating yourself and sharing the crucial information that you learn with friends and family. Also, familiarizing yourself with the most common mental problems and their symptoms, and turning to school counselors to obtain information that can be later shared will create a more understanding environment and give you the resources you need to help someone if they are struggling. 

Recognizing indicators of disabilities could also help schools improve their support system. Examples of this include: behavioral changes, abandonment of activities that can cause mental health problems, or focusing on how to support specific health problems such as ASD, which are neurological diseases caused from birth that affect communication, social interaction, and behavior. In today’s world, the issue of mental health is a very common case in schools. There are a number of students who suffer from this disease and cannot communicate with other classmates due to lack of information or simply do not know how to do so. If you see a classmate, friend, or person who seems to be struggling, try some of the techniques listed below to support them and help them overcome their moments of struggle.

TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION 
Use simple and direct language (avoid metaphors that may confuse them)

Be patient and give them time (give them time to process your words)

Use Visual Support (use visual examples to help them understand)

Identify their interests (they tend to be less shy if they have common tastes) 

Observe non-verbal cues (facial expressions, gestures and posture)

Respect personal space (be aware of your comfort zone, each person is different)