Loneliness is an unstoppable pervasive force and a deep source of pain for many people, including students at La Jolla High.

Many students are going through these feelings and frustrations, with very few having knowledge of these resources. Newport Academy reports that 40% of people aged 16 to 24  often report feelings of loneliness.

One of the main causes of frustration and sadness in life is caused from a lack of acknowledgment from oneself and others. People often feel ashamed and embarrassed when they have these feelings, which can lead to isolation, only making these problems worse.

As bleak as this may seem, there are tools and strategies that can improve one’s emotional state and quality of life. 

On the Hi Tide team, Logan S. opened up on their personal experience with mental health. “My own experience has taught me that there is a process to identifying and dealing with my emotions. Growing up in a fractured family, I have had to learn about identifying and comprehending my feelings. The first step was to take responsibility for my life. This is essential as living a life without the belief that things matter and that everything that my situation is a result of my actions leads to an unhealthy detachment with reality and ultimately causes further loneliness and depression. Once I grounded myself with the difficult concept that shaped my reality, I took to self reflection, finding what it is precisely it is I’m unhappy with and taking steps to improve it. Jordan B. Peterson said, ‘It’s in our responsibility that most people find the meaning that sustains them through life.’ I interpreted this as the necessary steps to shaping my life to get the most out of it.” 

Giving students a place to be heard is integral to their well being and improving our school. Without creating a social space for students to share how they feel, emotions will be trapped inside and cause problems unbeknownst to them. Unfortunately, there is a stigma, and students are embarrassed to reach out, but if the problem doesn’t get addressed, then it will only get worse. If a student is ever feeling hopeless or struggling, then they should go to Mr. Scott in the front office, the on school therapist, which is open to all students. According to school Mrs. Hartless, the on school psychologist here at La Jolla High,  if you are having trouble reflecting on yourself and finding out what’s wrong, the first step is to identify when you feel angry, as this tends to be the most noticeable emotion. Also, recognizing how your body reacts to feeling certain emotions is a great way to become more in touch with yourself.

After interviewing Mrs. Hartless,  the number one pressing issue concerning teens’ mental health here at La Jolla High was the overuse of social media. Anxiety, depression, comparison, and a host of other negative effects can be attributed to the subsistence on social media. To quote Mrs. Hartless, “all of those distractions keep you from dealing with yourself.” A great resource for making a positive impact is the teen health and wellness website, which can be found on San Diego unified La Jolla High website.