Catlin Gabel’s stress culture could create a mental health crisis

Words and Art by Helena Khoury ‘20

It's commonly known that the Upper School (US) at Catlin Gabel School (CGS) is stressful.  But more importantly, CGS is a stress-inducing environment. When I walk on campus, I often can feel a change in the energy; the stress is palatable. My heart rate will start to rise, I notice myself fidgeting, and a restless feeling is inescapable. 

In conversations following tests, I have often been upset by the way students reflect. Conversations are often filled with self put-downs and bashing of certain grades. 

These stress-culture-inducing conversations can be overheard in almost any communal place on campus. One day when I was seeking relaxation, my nap was disturbed by the following conversation:

These unhealthy conversations happening between students creates a culture of comparison which adds to everyone’s anxieties. It's important to keep in mind everyone has different learning styles and goals. It is okay to not be grade-oriented even at a competitive college prep school such as CGS. It's important to change the way we talk about academic successes and failures.

I urge you to not let grades be a critical factor of your self worth. Be content with trying your best. Do not think you are not working hard enough if you aren't driving yourself crazy. 

And students, please stop glorifying horrible sleep hygiene! Keeping yourself up until ungodly hours of the night to finish a problem set is not cool. Trying to one up each other about who slept the least for the sake of doing the most work is not cool. 

I'm not the only one who feels the presence of the stress culture. Senior Magdalene* agrees. (*Names have been changed to respect the interviewee’s requests to remain anonymous.) 

“It's stressful because people are comparing. It's such a small school and we all know who’s doing well and the small classes make it obvious,” she said.

She continued talking about her own experience balancing the workload and her mental health. 

“The workload is so intense and there aren't breaks for me to rest and recharge my brain. I constantly put my mental health aside to get work done. I feel like I have to keep up with everyone else,” she described
Both Magdalene and another student Kristy* think CGS needs to do better at supporting students’ mental health.

“Not everyone feels comfortable going and talking to the counselors, but it's all we have,” continues Magdalene.

Kristy is a student who works on a mental health hotline. “I think Catlin definitely has to do a better job teaching about mental health. How can we expect people to change if they are never taught?” she said. For Kristy, conversations surrounding mental health feel tabooed in our community. 

For students already struggling with mental health, this stress culture increases overall anxiety and depression. 

Many faculty members agree changing these community social norms will not happen overnight and will take some real work. US Counselor Casey Mills agrees that there is a systemic problem. 

“Having one or two counselors to care for a few hundred students is not effective,” he said, saying that their work “is often reactive and typically involves some form of triage.” He then detailed a plan he proposed to help bring therapists onto campus to talk to students. 

“As we have space for private tutors in the Learning Center, why not create a similar space for those needing emotional support?” Mills continued. “The main focus here would be on decreasing barriers and creating space that allows for students (and families) to have easier access to necessary appointments, referrals, and information.” 

These therapists would not be affiliated with the school so the students would be able to have more open conversations with these mental health professionals. 

While it may take a while for systemic change to happen and reduce stress culture on campus. I wanted to share some tools for everyone to help reduce their stress. It's important to take time for mindfulness throughout the day. 

One thing that I really enjoy is square breathing and meditation. Writing lists and budgeting time for each thing you have to do allows you to plan your workload and get the satisfaction of crossing things off of it. Self care is a necessity these days: take a bath, drink some tea ,and make time to pursue your passions. 

Another way to reduce stress culture is to actively combat it. Make a conscious effort to change the stress levels associated with work by putting it in perspective of everything else going on in life. Remember that a test is not going to be the defining factor in your life, and take a deep breath. If someone is not stressing about an assignment, do not project your anxieties and stress them out. Doing this will benefit you and the community. 

We all know CGS is hard, so don't make it harder. Support each other to create the most enriching experience and always remember if everyone needs a chat or a hug, you know where to find me.