Is it acceptable to cry at school?
I’m a 14-year-old non-binary student, and I’ve found myself in tears during my first-period class four times this week—Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and now today. It all started when I saw a flyer about mental health resources, which really hit me hard. On top of that, I’ve been struggling with noise in the classroom. My teacher has tried to help by discussing solutions with me, but nothing seems to work. Yesterday, she noticed me frantically scribbling in my notes, and I felt incredibly embarrassed. I brought my headphones to class today, and although I didn’t cry as much, I still felt awful. I’ve been struggling with self-harm lately, which has really affected my mood, and it’s becoming a challenge to manage my feelings at school.
What suggestions do you have for me?
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re feeling this way. It’s completely okay to cry in school; it shows that you’re feeling a lot and sometimes it just needs to come out. It sounds like you’re going through a really tough time, and it’s important to know that you’re not alone and there are people who want to help you.
Here are a few steps you could consider taking:
Talk to Someone: If you haven’t already, consider reaching out to a trusted teacher, counselor, or school psychologist. They can provide support and guidance and can help you find coping strategies.
Use Your Resources: If your school has mental health resources, don’t hesitate to use them. They exist to help students like you who are struggling.
Self-Care Techniques: Practice some self-care strategies that might help you manage your feelings. This could be deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or keeping a journal of your thoughts and feelings.
Create a Safe Space: If noise in the classroom is bothering you, think about what adaptations could help, like sitting in a different spot or using noise-canceling headphones.
Reach Out to Friends: If you have friends you trust, talk to them about how you’re feeling. Sometimes just sharing what you’re going through can lighten the load.
Seek Professional Help: If you find that things are becoming too overwhelming, talking to a therapist or counselor outside of school can be really beneficial.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, and reaching out shows strength. You don’t have to go through this alone. Take care of yourself!