There are about 7 million disabled students in the US, making up 14% of national public school enrollment, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. According to University of Illinois at Chicago researchers, as of December 2021, teens with disabilities are up to five times more likely to suffer from mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions than adolescents without disabilities.

Our bodies and brains are incredibly intertwined. The wellbeing of our body directly informs the quality of our mental wellness. We aren’t always the kindest to our bodies. One of the best things you can do for your body is to stretch, engage and realign muscles in a relaxed manner. Before or after exercise, a long day of sitting, or a day of standing – anytime is a good time to stretch. 

Some people use the term “high-functioning depression,” but this is neither a diagnosis nor a clinical disorder. Many mental health professionals also disagree with the use of the term. Ultimately, the term is often used to say that a high functioning person can be suffering invisibly too. 

Only one third of Black adults experiencing mental health symptoms are able to attain mental health care. Stigma, socioeconomic disparities, discrimination, and lack of cultural awareness are all contributing factors to this statistic. However, there are many resources in place to help with the search for adequate mental health care, specifically among Black communities.