At a recent Upper School Chapel, members of Pennington’s Our Minds Matter (OMM) club fully embraced their mission of spreading mental health awareness and erasing the stigma which often surrounds the subject. Club members were joined by representatives from various other School affinity groups and each student took turns sharing the myriad ways in which mental health impacts them. 

OMM co-president Nishka V. ’26 addressed the topic through a female lens, specifically examining the complex ways in which social media impacts women’s mental health. According to Nishka, women are more likely to compare themselves to online images and measure their worth by followers, views, and likes. “Though social media is meant to connect us, for many young women, it ends up isolating us,” observed Nishka. She encouraged her peers to do their part in helping to hold social media platforms and their algorithms accountable for the damaging ways in which they impact self-image, especially among teen girls. Her suggestions included limiting “follows” only to people and brands that inspire and uplift, rather than those which highlight inadequacies and to support “redefining what ‘real’ looks like online, without the filters.” Nishka’s approach to safeguarding mental health draws strength from maintaining balance: “Social media can be a tool for connection and self expression, but only if we use it intentionally and mindfully. It’s up to us to decide how we engage with it, to set boundaries, and to call out hypocrisy when we see it.”

Of course, girls are not alone in feeling the weight of adolescent tensions. High school can often be a minefield of stress and anxiety for all students, particularly when junior year hits and the mounting pressures of academic performance, social expectations, extracurricular and athletic commitments, and college preparations combine to create intense strain. This was the case for Varsity Boys’ Basketball co-captain Kae K. ’25. Despite feeling an “extreme amount of weight on my shoulders,” Kae “kept telling myself I didn’t need to talk about it” in part because he believes there is a “societal notion that men are supposed to tough it out.” He has come to realize that “you don’t have to be sad, angry, or even exceptionally happy to speak with someone,” and encouraged his peers to seek out a trusted adult on campus for support. “Don’t wait until the pressure feels too heavy. There are people around you who genuinely care and are here to help,” offered Kae. “Sometimes, just talking with someone can change everything.” 

Eliza Z. ’25, the OMM’s other co-president, offered a unique comparison on the topic, sharing her very first introduction to the term “mental health,” which occurred while she was still a student in China. Her middle school health classes back home touched upon the subject, but as Eliza recalls, “The textbook told us that it is important to maintain good physical and mental health, but it did not tell you how to do it. It’s like telling you to excel on a test without teaching you anything.” Today, Eliza appreciates the culture of openness surrounding the subject which she has experienced as an international student here at Pennington. She cited how friends routinely check in with one another and how teachers encourage the prioritization of sleep and open discussion. She also pointed to the various speakers the School has brought in to help break down some of the myths which exist on the subject. “I learned about coping methods and the stigma around mental health in class, and they weren’t just hollow words,” said Eliza. “Seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength and a step toward healing.”