As we move through the halls of Grant, it’s easy to make assumptions about the emotional states of those around us. With assignments due, lunch plans and the general stress of high school, most of us don’t take the time to look beneath the surface when observing our peers. In an effort to fit in, many students put on a facade to appear more positive than they actually are.
Why is it so easy to assume that what we see is the truth? To explore this question, we created a school-wide poll about happiness. In the poll, we asked students to first define happiness and then decide whether or not they fit their personal definition. Of the 644 responses we received, 27.3 percent of students reported that they felt unhappy.
Why is this? And for students who described themselves as happy, what does that mean and what are they doing to stay that way?
In this issue of Grant Magazine, we explore happiness and mental health at Grant through a wide range of stories, from the effects of drugs and alcohol to the lack of resources provided for students struggling with mental illness. Our goal is not to solve the issue of unhappiness, but rather to prompt the conversation about the emotional well-being and mental health of students at Grant — a topic that is often overlooked.
. . .
Grant students are frequently faced with the decision to either spend their money on material items or on experiences. Could one or the other actually lead to higher levels of happiness?
See how five Grant students find happiness from their pastimes.
Social media use has skyrocketed in recent years and teenagers are especially affected. Now, experts are beginning to make the connection between social media use and mental health.
In a recent study by Grant Student Leadership, the results showed that almost half of the student population is involved with drugs and alcohol. Are these substances affecting students’ happiness?
As students settle into life at the Marshall campus, some have made themselves at home.
As our world changes to accommodate new ideas and technologies, achieving a basic emotion like happiness has shifted. Staff members share how maintaining happiness in high school has changed since they were students.
The lack of support and resources for students struggling with mental illness is due to an ever-present stigma, which affects the education both students and faculty receive about the complexity of mental health.
Left on Mt. Crumpet: Ostracizing Mental Illness
Rewatching a childhood-favorite film leads to an introspection and a deep connection to the movie’s “villain.”
