I, Anya Robilotta, had the opportunity to sit down with Mrs. Warren, a psychologist here at Smithtown High School East, to discuss the importance of mental health.
Warren has worked as a psychologist here for many years, but many know her from what she brought here to East in 2023; her therapy dog, Ralphy. During our interview, we discussed the importance of mental health and the implementation of her beloved therapy dog here at SHSE.
Through all of her years, Warren knows how much mental health can impact teens. She talks about how they often feel isolated: “A lot of the time, students think they are the only ones feeling that way.” It’s important to make sure students know they aren’t alone. She makes a valid point about feeling alone; many teenagers don’t ask for help because they feel secluded in their mental states. When asked her opinion on the most stressful things teenagers experience, “There’s a lot of pressure seeing posts that could be quite upsetting to them or feeling pressured to post something.”
What can we do to maintain good mental health? “Exercise, eat healthy, meditation, listening to music, and going out into nature.” (Warren). She mentioned that mental health is extremely personal, so some coping mechanisms might work for others and not you. I wondered: What should my first step be in figuring out what works for me? “One main thing is reaching out for help.” She stressed taking breaks when you feel overwhelmed.
SHSE is full of places and opportunities to reach out for help. Psychologists, social workers, and in-school counselors are available constantly. Ralphy, our very own therapy dog, is also available weekly if you need to decompress with an adorable ball of fluff. “[Ralphy] helps by calming people down, relaxing, and improving mental and physical health.”