The Stress Students Face In The Education System

By: Daylun Armstrong, Valery Warner, and Jaden Majewski

January 27, 2020

In today’s world, stress, depression, and anxiety are the leading, negative factors for high school students. We surveyed a number of Brooklyn High School students about the pressures and stresses of school. 

The main, recurring issues these students were identifying with were the excess amounts of homework, teaching styles, difficult course work, and testing. 

This is not uncommon. According to a new NPR poll conducted with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health, homework was a leading cause of stress. 

We talked to Mr. Brian Hare (Assistant Principal at BHS) about the stresses that students are feeling and asked how we as a new generation can try to create changes to benefit our education system. 

Hare recognizes that mental health is an important issue that should be focused on. According to studies done by the National Institute of Mental Health, “Adolescent depression in schools is on the rise.” 

Programs introduced at BHS in order to promote a more positive and open environment for students are the Leadership Program, AVID, Freshman Seminar, and new social groups where students can express themselves and talk about issues (school and home-related).

To combat the issues with certain teaching styles, Hare stated, “We [administration] go into classrooms and provide feedback on instruction, student involvement, and the styles of teaching that are most effective for all students.”  

Another resource that is available at BHS is the “Stay Safe. Speak Up!” campaign. This campaign allows students (anonymous or not) to voice their concerns and ask for help about issues they are having. There is a link on the Brooklyn City Schools website if you feel that you need to speak up. 

So many teenagers experience these difficulties in school, and fortunately, our administration values students’ opinions and tries to strive to make BHS a stable and enjoyable environment for all. 

If you or someone you know wants to talk about the issues they/you are experiencing, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center.  You can also text MHA to 741741 at the Crisis Text Line. 

Additional communication can be made to 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. 

Finally, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. 

Even though it may not be easy, always remember you are never alone in any struggle that you may be facing. Help is readily available!