With AP exams and finals less than two months away, more and more students are struggling to focus on their mental health. Therapy’s benefits must be explored to prevent and treat mental illnesses, burnout and harmful habits. However, an immense stigma against seeking help through therapy exists and must be combatted for the sake of psychological, physical and emotional health.

However, more and more people are starting to recognize the benefits of therapy, regardless of whether they have a diagnosed mental illness. Everyone should go to therapy at some point in their lives, regardless of their current mental state. Talking to a professional can help relieve stress and improve one’s overall quality of life and the relationships they form.

One way therapy can make a difference on one’s overall well-being is by providing an opportunity for personal growth and self-reflection. Even if you don’t feel like you have any particular issues to address, talking to a therapist can help you gain insight into your own thoughts and behaviors. This practice can help you identify patterns or habits in your life that may be holding you back and develop strategies for moving forward. Additionally, therapy can help you build resilience and coping skills that will serve you well throughout your life. 

With a stronger focus on Grade Point Averages, extracurriculars and tests like the SAT, junior year is demanding immense effort from students which has deteriorating effects on their  mental health.  

“Junior year is stressful as it is, and when you have the ability to talk to a professional, why not do it?” Lambert junior Kajel Damani said.

Therapy is something that all juniors should consider setting time aside for, as it reminds them of the world outside high school education. However, those who are not able to afford therapy should consider reiling on communicating their thoughts with a trusted friend or family member. They should also consider Better Help Online Therapy for a free month trial of online therapy.

Secondly, therapy can improve your relationships with everyone around you. Many people struggle with communication and conflict resolution in their personal and professional relationships. Therapy can help you learn to communicate effectively, understand other people’s perspectives and navigate difficult conversations. By improving your relationships, you can increase your overall happiness and well-being. 

Furthermore, therapy can help you manage stress and anxiety. We all experience stress and anxiety at some point in our lives, but keeping these feelings from becoming overwhelming and interfering with daily life is something that therapy can help avoid. Therapy can teach you techniques for managing stress and anxiety such as mindfulness and relaxation techniques. By learning to manage these feelings, you can improve your overall mental health and quality of life. According to NIH data cited by the CDC, mental health issues like depression can raise one’s risk of developing diabetes and heart disease and increase the chances of having a stroke. The NIH goes on to state that cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are 40% more likely to affect people with depression than the general population.

Therapy can be a proactive step toward maintaining good mental health. Just as we go to the doctor for regular check-ups to prevent illness, we can go to therapy to prevent mental health issues from developing or worsening. By addressing issues early on, we can prevent them from escalating and potentially leading to more serious mental health concerns. Everyone, regardless of age, race and sexuality, should go to therapy at some point in their lives. Therapy can provide a range of benefits, including personal growth, improved relationships, stress and anxiety management, trauma processing and proactive mental health care. Whether you’re struggling with a specific issue or simply want to improve your overall well-being, therapy can be an invaluable resource.