Dboro Thomas

307 South Keats

Stillwater, Ok 74074

Representatives Trish Ranson

Oklahoma House of Representatives
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Room 502
Oklahoma City, Ok 73105

September 27, 2023

Dear Representative Trish Ranson,

I understand that you are an extremely busy woman, but I hope you are having a wonderful day. I
really do hope this letter finds you well. I am writing this letter regarding mental awareness. I
have noticed there is a massive number of young adults that suffer a mental illness. Mental
disorders such as bipolar, anxiety, depression, and ptsd etc. Most likely, the mental illness comes
from some sort of personal issues. I believe adolescents should be aware of mental health, so
these disorders can be prevented. Honestly, I believe that mental health should be taught in
schools but starting in middle school until senior year. Mental health should be taught in schools
because it reduces suicides rates, decreasing stigma, and preparing for the real world. I was
wondering, if you could consider adding mental health as a curriculum for 6th-12th grade?

In this article “Why We Care”, it statistically says, “One in six U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a
mental health disorder each year, and half of all mental health conditions begin by age 14.”
Therefore, a mental disorder starts at a young age. Most likely, mental health comes from some
type of traumatizing situation. Traumatic experience, such as losing a loved one or being abused
at home. Being abused at a young age can cause anxiety, depression, and maybe even more
mental disorders. These disorders cause issues, like socializing and learning in school. Most of
the time, this mental disorder goes undiagnosed as adolescent. Also, on the article, “Why We
Care”, basically explain mental illness interfere with a student’s ability to learn, grow, and
develop. This leads to result of adolescent not getting their diploma. Most importantly, it causes
tons of suicides. As a matter of fact, suicides rates have gone up, and it is extremely high this
year. In a news article on “Mental Health” spoke, “About 49,500 people took their own lives last
year in the U.S., the highest number ever, according to new government data posted Thursday”.
Suicide rates can go down, if mental health is acknowledged early on. I believe that mental
health can be controlled, but only if it is acknowledged. Especially, mental disorders like anxiety,
eating disorder, or a specific phobia. The article on, “Why Mental Health Should Be Taught in
School” written by Hannah Hippie states, “An estimated 31.9% of adolescents have an anxiety
disorder” (Hippie). Also, sometimes anxiety disorder does not show symptoms. But anxiety
disorders can be easy maintain such as, teenagers with social anxiety disorder can learn how to
socialize without having an anxieties attack. For instance, teaching teens how to handle their
triggered situations. If mental health is not treated or acknowledged, it can get much worse. In
other words, anxiety disorder can lead to an eating disorder. Eating disorders are much worse
because people will lose their appetite or binge eat. Therefore, anxiety is the initial cause of an
eating disorder. I feel that if disorders such as anxiety are acknowledged, it can prevent certain
mental diagnosis like an eating disorder. Phobia disorders can also be prevented if mental health
is taught. Adolescents that are diagnosed with some type of phobias can be prevented by
knowing how to handle their fears. As a result, adolescents will learn to have control of their own
lives mentally. Although suicides cannot be completely stopped, it can at least minimize the
suicides rates. Importantly, teaching adolescents about phobias, eating disorders, and anxiety can
reduce suicide rates.

Next, mental health being taught in school can decrease stigma. Mental health stigma resides all
over, however it does reside in mental health. Decreasing stigma in mental health creates
confidence, helps adolescents be more outspoken to each other, and less judgement. Mental
health stigma is people who think because someone has a menta disorder are unstable. However,
I am a perfect example of a stable human-being with a mental disorder. I was diagnosed with
bipolar type two at sixteen years old. My mother always told me due to bipolar, I am not
mentally stable to be on my own. I believed my mother’s words for years. The stigma got to my
head, so I started to become a crazy person. Until I had gotten pregnant with my son. I did want
no one to think I was not mentally stable to take care of my son. So, I started seeking counseling
immediately, which led to family counseling. Since the family counseling, I feel more confident
about my disorder, I am more outspoken with my feelings, and my family do not judge. Now, I
am twenty-nine with a three-year son and married.

Lastly, mental health being taught in schools helps students get ready for the real world. Life has
its ups and downs. Even though life is stressful, students will need to learn how to handle it.
Most teenagers are not ready to become an adult. For instance, a popular student that is not ready
to let go of high school. Although, rejection issues do prevent growth. Being able to handle
rejection is a part of life. Everyone has dealt with a moment or time of being rejected. For
example, rejection can be a denied application or a breakup. Learning to handle rejection will
teach students not to give up when someone says “no”. Students also need to learn how to adapt
with changes. Adapted to changes will teach students to be more comfortable with new skills and
abilities. Most of all, learning to set life boundaries can help students prepare for the real world.
The way setting boundaries in life helps learn to put their self-first, which creates self-love.
Teaching adolescents to be prepared for the real world might build a better society. Setting life
boundaries, learning to adapt to change and handling rejections are the reason mental health
should be taught in school.
Thank you for the time and opportunity to read over my letter. Mental awareness is destroying
the world, we need a change. Importantly, the change starts with our teenagers. To conclude,
giving teens an education on mental health will keep suicide rates low, minimize the stigma, and
helps prepare for difficult challenges in life. I hope to see new curriculum such as mental health
get added to 6th grade through 12th grade class schedules. If you need to reach out to me
regarding this letter, my cell number (469) 245-1424. I am available for a call or text.

Sincerely,

Dboro Thomas
Hippe, H. (2023b, March 20). Why mental health should be taught in school. Nystrom &
Associates. https://www.nystromcounseling.com/school/why-mental-health-should-be-
taught-in-school/

Mental health in schools. NAMI. (n.d.).

https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Policy-Priorities/Improving-Health/Mental-Health-in-Schools

NBCUniversal News Group. (2023, August 10). CDC data finds that suicides reached all-time
high in 2022. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/cdc-data-
finds-suicides-reached-time-high-2022-rcna99327