Student Feature: Tyrone from Denver

Tyrone is a 10th grader in Denver. We’re not being hyperbolic when we say that he is THE most optimistic, motivational human we’ve had the privilege of knowing. When he’s not giving his peers a pep talk or filming himself leading Upstream tools for his school, he serves as North High School’s Broadcasting Manager and Leading Anchor. On top of that, he recently led his school’s Mental Health Symposium as the Mental Health Support Team Lead. Let’s hear what Tyrone has to say about himself, his own understanding of mental health, and what the world needs more of.

How did you become such a positive person?

I have been this positive since my early ages. I’ve always had this mentality of “get up and go” because you never know what’s going to happen and just have to enjoy each moment.

I learned this from my mom because we had hardships. Even in times when we were down, she always told us it was going to be okay. There were moments when we thought we weren’t going to have Christmas, but she always lifted ourselves up and really demonstrated all that positivity. You never know what’s going to happen: stay motivated, keep positive, and do whatever it takes to make yourself happy.

When did you first learn of the concept of mental health?

I first heard the term “mental health” in middle school. I didn’t really understand what it meant at first because I wasn’t really paying attention. Eventually as I grew into 8th and 9th grade, I started to understand more because some people in my family and outside of my family were struggling with their mental health.

What is the state of your peers’ mental health right now? 

A lot of my peers are feeling, sad, depressed, or shut-out. A lot of my peers are struggling with their mental health because they aren’t getting that social interaction, seeing all the beautiful faces at school. They feel like it’s just them against the world and no one cares. No one should have to feel that way. 

What resources does your school provide to support students’ mental health?

At North, we have community partners that are licensed therapists and psychologists. We have support from the Denver Health Clinic that is also open to the public. There are so many resources. Nobody is without a resource to help them with their mental health. Everybody has a counselor; everybody has a social worker. 

But the average student doesn’t really know about all of these resources. However, we’re working towards it as a school. 

Upstream also provides support. Right now, everyone is onboard with Upstream. Parents are amazed by what Upstream has to offer. We do an Upstream tool weekly in our homerooms in the morning, and the teachers do it with us. 

If you could tell your teachers one thing related to mental health, what insight might you share?

Take a break. Take advantage of your weekends. Teaching is a nonstop job. Do some self-care. Read or go for a walk. Decompress and use the weekend to your full advantage. Before break, I told all my seven teachers to “break hard.”  Please do not touch your computer or grade. From a student’s perspective, teachers do not take the breaks they need, and students notice that.