You’ve heard it from parents, teachers, and even social media posts, “junior year is the most important year for college admissions.” As a freshman and sophomore, the thought looms quietly in the back of your mind. As a junior, it hits you like a Mack truck. It is the last opportunity to build your resume and prove your academic potential - all for your “dream” school.

When you think of teenagers, you don’t tend to think of them as grieving or suffering from mental illness. The teen years are usually filled with more light conflicts, like teen drama. Did you know that in reality 60% of teenagers have experienced depression? Many teens struggle with mental health issues that range from anxiety, eating disorders and depression. I am included in that statistic.  One of the leading causes of depression is grief and that is something I have experienced twice in my life.

I was at school in math class Freshman year. I asked to be excused to go to the bathroom. My heart and thoughts were racing.  My chest hurt.  I felt dizzy and a little nauseous.  I was sweating and had chills at the same time.  It lasted 15 minutes before I felt like I could breathe normally again.  I didn’t feel comfortable talking with my teacher because I couldn’t explain what I was feeling.  I was also worried she would think I was making it up.  I called my mom who at first thought I was just trying to get out of class.  She then said I probably had the flu and to take a Tylenol, drink some water, and get back to class.

I didn’t have the flu.  I had a panic attack. 

“…Parents don’t seem to believe it can happen to their family. But it can be anyone and any family. I know because it was me.”

I recently realized that throughout my entire life, I have been deprived of my culture and did not even consider another pronunciation to my last name. Therefore, I now believe that the American pronunciation will now simply not suffice. Instead, I am determined to understand where I come from and fill this empty void in myself.

At one point I realized that I couldn't live being addicted to something as stupid as a vape. It took some time, but eventually I was able to quit nicotine and finally feel like myself again. I want to share some tips from my experience and what helped me in the process of quitting vaping.

Having dealt with tic disorders and OCD for nearly my entire life, I know the challenges, both visible and invisible, that mental health can incur, and I am thrilled to share my content on the SBFC platform in the hopes that it can de-stigmatize prevalent mental health issues.

My name is Sachi Saunt. I’m a sophomore at Redondo Union High School and a SBFC Youth Advisor. These past months of distance learning and being in the house constantly has been a struggle for me, as I am sure it has been extremely hard for all high school students.

Because of my inability to recognize what binge drinking did to my decision-making abilities, at the end of freshman year I ended up making a mistake that turned my life upside down.

2. The chemicals in Juul pods are equivalent to a whole pack of cigarettes. It only looks like a few milliliters in the pods, but I was shocked to find that the little bit of liquid is about 20 cigarettes. It seems so easy to go through a pod in a few days without realizing how much nicotine you’re intaking. (Source: Edutopia, 6/18)

I'm a high school graduate who has some personal experience with vaping. Would have been good to know this when I was younger. Here are my top five reasons, in reverse order, to say "I'll pass" when it comes to vaping,

I am so touched by the support I have received from everyone for my SBFC blog, My Freshman Experience: How Trying to Fit In Came at the Price of Wellbeing, A lot has happened since that post, and I wanted to pass along a quick update to all of you. 

Thank you to SBFC intern, Marlene Heyning, for sharing her top five reasons with us to say "I'll pass," to drugs and alcohol. Great research and insight, Marlene!