By Janessa Mejias

Support systems are a huge factor in a person’s life. Having a great support system can benefit you in many different ways. Out of the students that I interviewed at PHS, every single one agreed that it is important for every individual to have a solid support system.

Most students may go through a tough situation during their time in high school, whether it be their parents divorcing, a bad breakup, an abusive relationship, recent deaths in the family, etc. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually harassed every day- and many go unreported. These crimes may go unreported because many people may be afraid to speak up.

According to the organization Love Is Respect, only 33 percent  of teens who were in a violent relationship ever told anyone about relationship abuse. Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year. Having a solid support system may give individuals the confidence they need to report these crimes

Many people I have talked to agree that they would want be a support system for a friend if they needed it. When asked, “how you would help a friend going through a tough time?”

PHS senior, Jayleen Betances,18, said, “I’d be supportive, encourage them to talk to someone who can help such as a professional or listen to them talk and see how I could help.”

Mateo Ortiz, 18, also a senior at PHS, said, “If my friend chose to come talk to me about a situation, the first thing I would do is hug them because they obviously are in a dark place and I’d let them know they can talk to me.”

Many people are like Jayleen and Mateo and believe in the importance of a support system. Ms. Hall, a PHS chemistry teacher thinks positively of support systems, whether it be to give or receive the support.

“I would definitely want to be heard. I’d want someone to be there for me when I’m going through a tough time,” stated Ms. Hall.

So how exactly do you help a friend who’s in a tough situation?  How do you deal with the situation? How do you approach your friend?
●  Be there for them and let them know you care. Let them know that things may be hard now but they will push through it.
●  Don’t approach them irrationally and speak to them privately. Let them know you have noticed a change in them and you want to help.
●  If your friend is trusting you with something very serious, take it into consideration. Keep it confidential and let them trust you to be their listener.
●  If you or someone you know is going through a tough situation, think of all the options that could benefit you or them in some way, such as counseling, help hotlines, etc. Don’t shut them out. Everyone is going through their own battles and everyone deserves a friend!