Being in high school is hard — and not just because of homework or exams. Stress can come from every direction, from social expectations and relationships to extracurricular activities and planning for the future. Crossing that stage at graduation is a milestone that not everyone has the opportunity to achieve. So if you’re thinking about dropping out of high school, it’s important to look at your decision from every angle, especially as it’s affected by your mental health. 

We understand that even considering dropping out of high school means that you’re experiencing significant challenges that feel like you’ll never be able to make it through. However, by taking a look at potential stressors that may be weighing you down, you can gain a better understanding of how you can improve with the right support system and mental health treatment.

Here are a few potential mental health challenges that can inhibit your drive to finish high school:

• Overwhelming stress — Anxiety is quite common in high school students; more than 30% of teens have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety at this age can often come from feeling overwhelmed by the amount of schoolwork and extracurricular activities that you’re trying to balance. There can also be additional stressors coming from friendship conflicts, part-time jobs and family time. Even though it can feel like too much, proper stress and time management techniques can help you find the balance you need.

• Feelings of hopelessness for the future — If you’re unsure about what you want to do after graduation or you’re struggling to find academic success, you may feel like you don’t want to waste any more time. Feelings of hopelessness are also a symptom of major depressive disorder. When you’re feeling defeated, it’s easy to forget that you don’t need to have it all figured out yet. By thinking about all the possibilities and opportunities that await you after graduation, you can feel more motivated to finish high school.
• Excessive pressure and high expectations — If you feel pressure from your family and teachers to have a lot of success or go down a certain path, it can feel like a heavy burden on your shoulders because you don’t want to let them down. You may also put too much pressure on yourself or want to meet your own high expectations for yourself. Instead of trying to relieve that pressure by dropping out, take a step back to reevaluate what you actually want to accomplish and think about realistic steps to get there. 
• Lack of social connections — High school is more than homework and exams. It’s also about forming relationships with your peers, both as friends and romantic partners. However, if you feel like you’re having a hard time connecting with your classmates, it can make those long school days difficult to get through. There’s also the possibility of bullying or having social anxiety disorder symptoms. While social connections are important for a well-rounded high school experience, you can also find those bonds outside of school, such as with your family and neighbors or through extracurriculars.
• Low self-esteem — When you’re feeling down on yourself, it can feel like nothing else matters, and it can make you believe that there’s no use in trying to reach for a milestone like graduating from high school, but that’s not true. During your teen years, you’re still trying to figure out who you are and how you want others to view you. While it’s expected to have low self-esteem sometimes as you’re trying to build your confidence, you shouldn’t get in your own way by making a big decision about your future based on who you are now.

Your mental health is a journey that will have many roadblocks along the way as you make your way into adulthood. But it’s important to take control of your feelings and not let them steer you away from your potential by dropping out of school. Try talking to your school counselor or booking an appointment with a therapist to discuss your challenges.

If you need additional support through mental health treatment, our Lightfully levels of care are here to help:

• Residential Treatment Center
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Intensive Outpatient Program

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.