A study by John Hopkins found that one out of five students and teens face some variety of mental health disorders. When the pandemic struck, that statistic rose through the roof. Many mental health and student care sites then became mainstream and have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of adolescents throughout the nation.
One such organization is Break the Barrier. It is an organization for teens, by teens, to help fellow students with a variety of issues. Across the nation, the Break the Barriers management team oversees free virtual groups with hundreds of teens, coaching them through various problems and offering advice.
In deeper specifics, these virtual Zoom meetings are hour-long sessions in which any teen can access information on topics ranging from study habits to anxiety and procrastination. But it also offers information on more abstract issues, like growing self-confidence and following your New Year’s Resolutions. Teens work with discussion leaders and peers in a welcoming and inclusive environment. April Cheng, a junior at Thomas S. Wootton and a Break The Barrier support group leader, stated, “We try our best to build personal connections with students and listen to any problems they might have.”
In fact, connections have improved, even over state lines. Break The Barriers president and Landon School Senior Dhruv Narang created the program in 2022 with just a small team of 3 people and established Break the Barrier. Now, just two years later, these local weekly support group meetings reach all across the USA with a managing team of over 30 and 12 separate support groups.
Break the Barrier even introduced SocialHelper, a mobile app to expand its reach and aid more teens in need. Narang stated the app “take input in a survey where users rate their strengths and weaknesses, and the app devises a monthly plan for exposure therapy, providing resources like a forum and virtual pet for support along the way.” By providing another access point to social, academic, and mental support, Break The Barriers has helped students nationwide.
As the organization is teen-run, if you’re passionate about helping your peers through issues and even learning more about tactics against stress or anxiety yourself, consider getting involved. Cheng mentioned that as she transitioned from middle to high school, the workload increased tenfold, and she had difficulties working through that. “This organization is meant to help combat that and facilitate a smooth transition from middle to high school, as well as help high schools with any problems they may have, both at school and at home.” Almost every student deals with their issues, and the community the Break The Barrier team has developed has helped teens from all walks of life.
From providing lessons, group support sessions, and even a mobile app, Break The Barrier, and its team are fully dedicated to advancing the health of young teens everywhere. If you or someone you know may need the services Break The Barrier provides, their website offers more information on how to get their services.
Article written by Max Elkstein of Walter Johnson High School
Photo Courtesy of Break the Barrier